Pre-Season, Pre-Race Interview With 2013 IICS Champion Scott Dixon

Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon shares a first-time "Chevy engine" team moment with fellow team member Penske Racing's Will Power. Too weird to think of these two very competitive teams being linked together through an engine program ... especially since Dixon won the 2013 Championship with a Honda. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

Pre-Season, Pre-Race Interview With 2013 IICS Champion Scott Dixon

We are sitting down for a brief conversation with open wheel race car driver and 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series Champion, Australian born, New Zealand native Scott Dixon. Welcome to the program.

The occasion finds Scott preparing for the first race of an 18 race season - the temporary street course at The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg - that will showcase for the first time, points modifications for hitting milage marks, and later in the season, double points awarded for the three 500-mile events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Auto Club Speedway.

With the Dallara DW12 going into its third year and coming off of one of the most competitive years in recent memory some fans who had turned their back on open wheel racing in North America may be missing out on some of the most competitive car racing on the planet. It is not the same bunch of 3 or 4 drivers winning all the time. 2013 not only witnessed Scott Dixon’s third series championship, it saw 10 drivers from seven different teams climb the podium over the 19 races — four drivers for the first time.

Juan Pablo Montoyoa explains the difference between driving a 'Cup' car and a Dallara DW12. Dixon's TCGR team-mate Charlie Kimball and Penske Racing team-mate Will Power enjoy the exchange. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

Juan Pablo Montoya is returning to open-wheel racing for the first time since he left Formula 1 for NASCAR in 2006, this time with Team Penske. Coincidentally, 2006 was the last year Roger Penske Racing claimed an IndyCar Series Championship title.

New Dixon team-mate Ryan Briscoe studies the information displayed on the DW12 steering wheel. Briscoe and Tony Kanaan bring considerable Chevy engine experience to the four car Ganassi team. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

At Chip Ganassi Racing, Franchitti’s seat has been filled by reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Tony Kanaan. A fourth car has been added to the team to compliment you, Scott Dixon – with Kanaan and Kimball - for the return of Australian driver Ryan Briscoe, who parted ways with Team Penske at the end of 2012 and spent 2013 picking up rides between IndyCar Series and sports-car series.

Ganassi has also changed engines — from Honda to Chevrolet.

With this as a background going into the first race of the season …

 Interview Audio File >>>

1. Does the combination of a four car team and an engine manufacturer switch to Chevy at Fontana last season make it harder to defend your title in 2014?

2. It appears as if you have a combination of team-mates in Kanaan, Kimball, and Briscoe who have relatively calm personalities, does this make intramural sharing easier or is it more competitive under the surface?

3. Obviously, Juan Pablo Montoya is back with a ride in open wheel racing …. the early money says that while he will be getting a grip on things, his nature will see him in a controversy … mainly with a Ganassi car … are you guys keeping an extra eye on him at St. Pete?

4. What do you think of the complexity of the new rules for double points at the three big 500 mile oval races scheduled for Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Auto Club Speedway?  Should the Verizon IndyCar Series awarding more points for particular races or mileage marks?

5. Michele Rahal, our Motorsports Unplugged president and Formula One expert, says that the IndyCar Series, right now, is the best open wheel product in the world, given all the confusion in GP and the close lap-times being shown at the IndyCar test at Barber … what is your opinion?

Come on out to see reigning AND 3-time IndyCar Series Champion Scott Dixon compete, who, of course, will be hoping to repeat this year, as the Verizon IndyCar Series kicks off on Sunday, March 30 … with the opener at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Fla. … followed by the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 13.

For those following the Verizon IndyCar Series on Twitter, use #VICS #spgp #tcgr #indycar #DW12 to index the conversation.

... notes from The EDJE

2010 Japan 300 -Tweeting Twin Ring Motegi

The drivers of the IZOD IndyCar Seies pose for a group photograph before practice for the IndyCar Series Indy Japan 300 on September 18, 2010 at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, Japan. Image Credit: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

2010 Japan 300 -Tweeting Twin Ring Motegi

Qualifications for the IZOD IndyCar Series penultimate 2010 season race Japan 300 being held at Twin Ring Motegi, Tochigi, Japan finds the season points leader Will Power of Verizon Penske Racing in P3 along side Dario Franchitti of Target Chip Ganassi in P4, who at just 17 points behind, is looking to close the gap before the final race.

Tonight is time for Will Power to put-up or shut-up if he wishes to capture his first ever open-wheel championship in the IZOD IndyCar Series ... where as Dario Franchitti seeks his third championship in four years, second in a row, and is in his element on an oval track.

The reason it is time for Will Power to take command is that he will not find a better chance over these last two races on oval tracks to put distance between himself and Dario Franchitti because of two main factors:

1) Twin Ring Motegi is not a symmetrical track. The track is designed with a large corner at one end and a very tight corner at the other end which gives an edge to the driver that has the greater attention to detail - advantage Power ... the IZOD IndyCar Series inaugural 2010 Mario Andretti Road Course Trophy winner.

2) The front row is filled with Penske Racing teammates Helio Castroneves in P1 and Ryan Briscoe in P2. With a little creative team management during the course of the race aired on Versus 11:00 PM ET tonight.

Dario's challenge will be made a little more difficult in that he will start the race with three Andretti Autosport cars directly behind, all wanting a piece of this Japanese pie. Andretti Autosport's Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan and Ryan Hunter-Reay are behind Franchitti, and E.J. Viso of KV Racing Technology recorded his best start on an oval this season in eighth. Panther Racing's Dan Wheldon will start ninth.

Scott Dixon, Dario's Target Chip Ganassi teammate will be starting nine positions behind at P11 and qualified over one-half a second behind at -.5320 of a second. It will be difficult for Dario to find any partners to run with whereas Will has a chance to be shepherded to a high finishing position before the final race to be held at the symmetrical style oval Homestead-Miami Raceway on October 2, 2010.

How they line up at Twin Ring Motegi:

Pos - Driver - Team - Speed
1. Helio Castroneves Penske 201.992mph
2. Ryan Briscoe Penske 201.594mph
3. Will Power Penske 201.463mph
4. Dario Franchitti Ganassi 200.964mph
5. Marco Andretti Andretti 200.187mph
6. Tony Kanaan Andretti 200.011mph
7. Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti 199.623mph
8. EJ Viso KV 199.487mph
9. Dan Wheldon Panther 199.225mph
10. Takuma Sato KV 199.191mph
11. Scott Dixon Ganassi 199.020mph
12. Danica Patrick Andretti 198.935mph
13. Bertrand Baguette Conquest 198.794mph
14. Vitor Meira Foyt 197.950mph
15. Alex Lloyd Dale Coyne 197.556mph
16. Graham Rahal Newman/Haas 197.402mph
17. Hideki Mutoh Newman/Haas 197.361mph
18. Justin Wilson Dreyer & Reinbold 196.850mph
19. Raphael Matos De Ferran Dragon 193.813mph
20. Mario Moraes KV 196.460mph
21. Roger Yasukawa Conquest 196.296mph
22. Paul Tracy Dreyer & Reinbold 195.709mph
23. Alex Tagliani FAZZT 195.483mph
24. Simona de Silvestro HVM 193.561mph
25. Milka Duno Dale Coyne 192.527mph

Twin Ring Motegi (ツインリンクもてぎ, Tsuin Rinku Motegi?) is an automobile racing track located at Motegi, Japan. Its name comes from the fact that there are two race tracks at the facility: a 2.493-kilometer (1.549 mi) oval and a 4.8-kilometer (2.98 mi) road course. It was built in 1997 by Honda, as part of Honda's effort to bring the IndyCar Series to Japan, helping to increase their knowledge of American open-wheel racing. The oval course is the only one of its kind in Japan, and currently is only used once a year for racing. It is a low-banked, 1.549-mile-long egg-shaped course, with turns 3 and 4 being much tighter than turns 1 and 2. On March 28, 1998, CART held the inaugural race at Twin Ring Motegi Speedway. The race was won by Mexican driver Adrian Fernandez. CART continued racing at Twin Ring Motegi Speedway from 1998-2002. In 2003, Honda entered the Indy Racing League and the race became a part of the IRL schedule. In addition to IndyCar Racing, the track has also hosted a single NASCAR exhibition race in 1998. Honda, which had built the oval for the express purpose of developing its oval-racing program for Indycar Racing, did not win a race at the track for its first six years of operation. In 2004, Dan Wheldon took the first win for Honda on the oval. In 2008, the Motegi oval gained additional publicity when Danica Patrick became the first woman to win an Indy car race there. Caption & Image Credit: Wikipedia

2010 Japan 300 play by play via "tweet" by "tweet" -

IndyCarNation Race Control presented by iRacing.com will go live at 12:30PM local, 11:30PM ET with in-car cameras of: Sato, Mutoh, Patrick, and Kanaan

curtcavin @99forever You've got @kevinlee23 on your side. He switched midseason to Will for the title. I've stuck with Dario since Day 1.

99forever @curtcavin Fascinating -- Will has been my pick for the title since the day he signed with Penske. It'll be an interesting finish!

TheEDJE @99forever I'm with you - I've been a big fan since his early CCWS days, just something about him. Read This - http://tinyurl.com/2es9szr

99forever @TheEDJE Nice!

kvracing Driver Introductions has begun

FollowAndretti RT @FirestoneRacing So it's 84 degrees at #Motegi but it feels like 184. #hot #humid

indy44 Must record, best one in years RT @whatimthinking: oooh! Betty White episode of SNL! I'll leave that on in the background too keep me awake!

CrashGladys OK, hubby just kicked me 2 the other TV room, so #IndyCar HERE I COME! Holy ... LOVED the @tonykanaan piece. You, TK r just 2 cool 4 school.

prismsinc God bless you @TonyKanaan! Have a great time celebrating your son's birthday! #IZODindycar

Biaracing Ta todo mundo acordado? Is everybody awake? Já na band para a transmissão da Indy. At Band tv to Indy broadcast.

FirestoneRacing Sounded like "Pavarotti Sings Lee Greenwood" in #Motegi prerace ceremonies!

TheSpeedgeek @indy44 @SBPopOffValve Versus chat is absolutely out of control. No way to keep up. I'll be concentrating on Twitter.

TheEDJE @TheSpeedgeek There are quite a few looking in on Twitter - This will be good for a play by play via tweet by tweet live blog I do sometimes

SBPopOffValve No offense to VERSUS, but this is starting to feel like the longest pre-race show in recorded history.

Dale_Nixon @SBPopOffValve at least KV could be confident in booking several thousand lbs. less gear for the return leg of the trip #airfreightrebate

TheEDJE @Dale_Nixon Would this be in reference to the record number of wrecks and DNF's by KV team drivers? Nice!

RaceRemote In case you missed it - Randy Bernard - CEO of the #IndyCar Series interview on our SidePods Podcast http://snipr.com

SBPopOffValve ...and here's another of our EMOTICONIC chat images that seems appropriate: http://twitpic.com/2pupq3

IndyCarNation Laps away from green flag. Get ready.

The three Japanese drivers (left to right) Roger Yasukawa, Takuma Sato and Hideki Mutoh pose for a photo before practice for the IndyCar Series Indy Japan 300 on September 18, 2010 at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, Japan. Image Credit: Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

GREEN! GREEN! GREEN! - The Japan 300 is underway at Twin Ring Motegi (photo)

Hardly 2 laps in and Baguette comes out of turn #2 into the safer barrier (photo)

YELLOW Flag

FollowAndretti Green, followed by a yellow for Baguette. #izodindycar

kvracing Yellow Flag for Baguette. Viso is 11th, Sato 13th and Moraes moved from 20th to 16th

99forever Groan! Guys, the word baguette means more than just bread in French, you know. The toast jokes are getting old!

curtcavin First yawn: 12:05 a.m.

Dale_Nixon Another #IndyCar race in which #ParkMilka won't finish last; TGBB probation or pure genius?

TheEDJE The Tweeting Live Blog begins ion earnest! http://tinyurl.com/298ufjb

GREEN! GREEN! GREEN! - Restart - The Japan 300 is underway again on LAP 10

SBPopOffValve Looks like PT's crew might have fuel rig issues. Saw the fueler having an issue with the buckeye

IndyCarNation Alex Tagliani #77 has been sent to the back of the line after speeding on pit road by going 64.7mph

TheEDJE LAP 20 - Helio, Ryan, Dario, Marco, Tony, Will, Scott, Danica, Dan, and Ryan are TOP 10

shagers Will Power drives these ovals like Rick Mears. He's never up front early. We'll see if he finishes them like Mears... #indycar

99forever There's a really good reason for that. :) RT @shagers Will Power drives these ovals like Rick Mears.

prismsinc #Danica has moved from 12th to 8th in the first 30 laps

IndyCarNation Lap 32 of 200: 3, 6, 10, 26, 11, 12, 9, 7, 4, 37, 8, 14, 2, 5, 32, 19, 02, 77, 06, 24, 22, 18, 36, 78, 34 is the running order

TheSpeedgeek PT's up 3 spots since the yellow. Aaaaaannnnd another ad break. A very slow head shake here, Versus.

indy44 Helio up now by 2.4427

shagers Versus chat pole. 37% Dario, 29% Will. I assume the other 34% given @royhobbson is involved, have voted for O.J.Simpson, or something. :)

YELLOW, Flag LAP42 - Alex Lloyd slows

ajformulagirl WTF! Milka is in front of Simona!!! #IZODIndyCar

Every body dives in for a YELLOW Flag pitstop

curtcavin I hate full-field caution pit stops. I know too many crew guys

IndyCarNation [Photos] Lots of pit lane activity - IZOD IndyCar Series posted a photo: All the cars in. http://ow.ly/194dPk

IndyCarNation Throttle linkage is broken on the #19 car and will be fixed shortly to put Lloyd #19 back in the race

GREEN! GREEN! GREEN! - Restart - LAP 48

FirestoneRacing It's inched up to 85 degrees in #Motegi. Track temp 128. Ouch that's #hot! #IndyCar

TheEDJE At this point if Dario gains one position over Will he is running in the points lead

kvracing After 55 laps, Viso is 10th, Sato 14th & Moraes 17th.

TheSpeedgeek Milka is changing lines on the straights to hold off Taku. Who is in 14th. Huh?

TheEDJE Alex Lloyd re-enters race 14 laps down

IndyCarNation Lap 60/200: Castroneves leads Briscoe by 1.3800 seconds then Franchitti, Kanaan, Andretti, Patrick, Dixon, Wheldon, Power, Viso are top 10

chunter16 I wonder how much money Sato carried with him? There's no way that decal paid for his year. #IZODIndyCar

YELLOW Flag - KV Racing's Mario Moraes hits the wall with left front tire failure - car bottoms out LAP 68

Fieldof33 Congrats to KV Racing. As of lap 67, they have completely 201 combined laps, an entire race, without crashing.

shagers KV car, here we go, the race is official. #indycar

99forever There's your wrecked KV car. 68 laps in.. is that a record on the year?

99forever @Fieldof33 Seriously, I was JUST wondering where the hell you were. What a time and way to show up! LOL

Dan_Brunell Little known #Indycar fact: If KV racing wreaks another three chassis, Dallara will throw in a free set of streak knives.

prismsinc ALLRIGHT! @DanicaPatrick up to 5th position out of the pits with 70 laps in! #IZODindycar

IndyCarNation Matos #2 and Mutoh #06 did not pit during the caution to take the lead spots.

GREEN! GREEN! GREEN! - Restart - LAP 77 - Three Wide!!

TheEDJE Franchitti picks up 2 spots - Power getting passed by Andretti and Dixon

IndyCarNation Franchitti #10 up to 3rd place with Power #12 back in 9th place at lap 80 of 200

FollowAndretti We're back to green racing... on lap 82: Danica 6th, Tony 7th, Marco 6th, Ryan 15th.

Will Power is in P8 and Dario is in P4 on LAP 90

IndyCarNation Lap 90/200: Briscoe, Matos (off sequence), Castroneves, Franchitti, Mutoh (off sequence) are top 5

RaceDrive RT @DerekRoss: Need a Team Penske Program Guide ? LOL - End Fences | Helio = Red | Ryan = White | Power = Black

SBPopOffValve Well, Gold Leader had a shot at the exhaust port, but the TIE fighters just shot him down. Briscoe to the lead.

IndyCarNation Dario Franchitti #10 now in 5th place while Power #12 makes up spots under green now up to 7th place.

Just Past halfway (LAP 100) and the off sequence cars go to the pits

SBPopOffValve I think the HVM crew is having Simona come in every 5 laps to put the Legos back in place on the tub.

FollowAndretti At the halfway point @IndyJapan... Danica 6th, Tony 9th, Ryan 12th, Marco 13th #izodindycar

99forever I'm curious: If Briscoe or Helio were to be told tonight that "Will is faster, confirm," how would you react?

TheEDJE If the race would end right now - Power leads Franchitti by 10 points

YELLOW Flag - 4th caution of the race - Paul Tracy brushes wall and leaves debris

IndyCarNation Mario Moraes is awake and alert and being transported to a Mito hospital for evaluation from reported back pain.

Castroneves swaps positions with Briscoe - Comes in P2 and leaves P1 / Franchitti in P3 and Power in P5

IndyCarNation Lap 120: Castroneves, Briscoe, Franchitti, Patrick, Power, Dixon, Kanaan, Hunter-Reay, Wheldon, Andretti are top 10

FollowAndretti After the pit stop: @DanicaPatrick up to 4th, @TonyKanaan 7th, @RyanHunterReay 8th, @Andretti26 10th #izodindycar

GREEN! GREEN! GREEN! - Restart - LAP 122

IndyCarNation Paul Tracy #24 may be done for the day as his car was taken behind the pit wall after contact in turn 4 with the wall.

curtcavin More than an hour into the race and Graham finally got a call on the broadcast. #indycar

IndyRacingNut Must be cutting into my 16yr old's Cinemax time b/c he keeps coming downstairs asking when the race is over. LOL

indy44 "Time to sew a checkered flag Betsy Ross Danica is coming through" #ToddHarrisQuotes

IndyCarNation LAP 133/200 order: 3, 10, 6, 7, 9, 12, 11, 37, 4, 26, 02, 8, 5, 14, 77, 22, 2, 06, 18, 36, 19, 24, 78, 32, 34

TheEDJE If the race were to end now ... Power holds on to a slim 5 point lead!

IndyCarNation Castroneves has opened up a 2.6116 sec. lead over Franchitti with Briscoe another 1.1023 sec. back, then Patrick and Dixon in top 5

IndyCarNation Lap 145/200: Castroneves, Franchitti, Briscoe, Patrick, Dixon, Power, Kanaan, Hunter-Reay, Wheldon, Andretti are top 10

YELLOW Flag - Alex Lloyd bottoms out and catches on fire with 53 LAPS to go

indy44 Yellow for Lloyd on three wheels.

Dan_Brunell That way of starting a fire is definitely not in the Boy Scout handbook. #Indycar

indy44 Last pit stops, YAY no fuel strategy race.

IndyCarNation Alex Lloyd has been checked, cleared, and released from the infield care center after his incident earlier in the race.

indy44 Here we go P1 Helio P2 Dario P3 Ryan P4 Power P5 Danica P6 Dixon P7 RHR P8 TK P9 Marco P10 Rahal

TheEDJE If the race were to end right now - Power will hold on to a nine point lead over Franchitti

chunter16 The reason Sato has a reputation for wreckage is because he drives cars to their edge and breaks them, not because he can't drive.

TheEDJE @chunter16 EXACTLY - there is NO edge to Sato's driving - it's ALL or NOTHING!

99forever Longest. Yellow. Ever.

indy44 Penske cars are going to try and pounce on Dario.

TheEDJE @indy44 Yeah - Briscoe punts Dario and Will scoots by for P2 while Franchitti spins to a much lower P position

GREEN! GREEN! GREEN! - Restart - LAP 168

IndyCarNation Back to green at lap168 after extensive debris cleanup. Will Castroneves be able to open up a big lead after the restart yet again?

Will Power moves into Ps right behind Dario Franchitti in P2

shagers "Power is faster than you, do you understand this message"

IndyCarNationTakuma Sato #5 has gained 5 spots since the restart and is now up to 12th place (photo).

99forever Why the hate? Briscoe's box is so close to pit out that he could have slipped the button and still not been speeding at the line.

TheSpeedgeek @99forever Briscoe clearly beat Dario to timing line. Either he didn't speed and restarts 2nd or he sped and starts at the tail.

99forever Oh, true. Missed that. It's late here. :P RT @SBPopOffValve Then he should have been placed ahead of Frico. He beat him to the line.

IndyCarNation Lap 180/200: Castroneves, Franchitti, Power, Briscoe, Patrick, Dixon, Kanaan, Hunter-Reay, Rahal, Wheldon are top 10

TheEDJE 15 laps remaining and Dario is being pushed by Will with only 12 points between them if the race were to end now

SBPopOffValve Hey! Milka's going to get a top-20 finish!

shagers LOL. Indycar SkypeUp quote of the night: "They send 3 747's to Japan. 2 for the teams, and 1 with Jack Arute's sun tan lotion"

IndyCarNation Championship leader Power #12 is slowly closing the gap on 2nd place Franchitti #10. Will he catch Franchitti?

3 LAPS remain and the drivers maintain position

WHITE Flag

CHECKERED Flag (photo)- Helio Castroneves gets his 25th win in the IRL - followed by Dario Franchitti and Will Power with only 12 points between them

danicaracing Good run tonight for Danica - brings it home in 5th place at Motegi.

indy44 Checkered P1 Helio P2 Dario P3 Power P4 Briscoe P5 Danica P6 Dixon P7 TK P8 Rahal P9 RHR P10 Wheldon P11 Marco P12 Sato P13 Tagliani

IndyCarNation Congrats to "Spiderman" for winning the Indy Japan 300 as he climbs the fence once again (photo) & (photo).

scottdixon9 6th place finish for Scott at Motegi today....

IMSProductions [New IndyCar Video] Helio's Post Japan Qualifying Interview http://ow.ly/194ddV

Podium Photos - (photo), (photo), (photo)

UPDATE - Finishing Order:

Pos - Driver - Team - Time/Gap
1. Helio Castroneves Penske 2h04m04.4780s
2. Dario Franchitti Ganassi + 4.5746s
3. Will Power Penske + 5.0743s
4. Ryan Briscoe Penske + 6.4825s
5. Danica Patrick Andretti + 7.6057s
6. Scott Dixon Ganassi + 8.3641s
7. Tony Kanaan Andretti + 9.4093s
8. Graham Rahal Newman/Haas + 11.7163s
9. Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti + 12.2125s
10. Dan Wheldon Panther + 12.4720s
11. Marco Andretti Andretti + 15.5007s
12. Takuma Sato KV + 16.0693s
13. Alex Tagliani FAZZT + 17.6774s
14. Hideki Mutoh Newman/Haas + 18.2811s
15. EJ Viso KV + 18.7349s
16. Justin Wilson Dreyer & Reinbold + 19.4293s
17. Vitor Meira Foyt + 20.1047s
18. Raphael Matos De Ferran Dragon + 21.2346s
19. Milka Duno Dale Coyne + 3 laps
20. Roger Yasukawa Conquest + 5 laps

Retirements:

Alex Lloyd Dale Coyne 131 laps
Paul Tracy Dreyer & Reinbold 114 laps
Simona de Silvestro HVM 85 laps
Mario Moraes KV 66 laps
Bertrand Baguette Conquest 1 lap

SBPopOffValve Unofficial results: Twinkletoes, Frico Suave, Powerbar, Inferno, Princess, Iceman, Kanostril, Graham Cracker, Hunter-RaceToTheParty, ShoeBoy

With that, we close the laptop lid on this penultimate race of the 2010 season ... see you all at Homestead-Miami Raceway ...

... notes from The EDJE

Indy Toronto - Play By Play via Tweet By Tweet

Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon share a moment before tackling the streets of Toronto ... Scott for the first time - Dario, not so much since he has raced and won here in CART. Image Credit Andy Sallee (2009)

Indy Toronto - Play By Play via Tweet By Tweet

Honda Indy Toronto - Toronto Street Circuit - Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Race 10 of 17 in IndyCar Series - Laps: 85 - Track length: 1.75 miles - Race length: 148.75 miles

This set up excerpted and edited from Autosport.com -A double pole winner at Toronto in his Champ Car days, Dario Franchitti posted a best time of 1m01.0249s to emerge comfortably fastest in the Fast Six session, beating Will Power in the third Penske Dallara-Honda by more than two tenths of a second.

With Graham Rahal, Alex Tagliani and Mike Conway rounding out the top six, names like Helio Castroneves, Ryan Briscoe and Scott Dixon were conspicuously absent from the sharp end of the grid.
----
This set up excerpted and edited from Fresno Beehive - IndyCar makes its first foray into Toronto this week for the inaugural Honda Indy Toronto, the 10th event on the 2009 IndyCar Series championship schedule.

The last time racing took place in Toronto was for the Champ Car Series back in 2007, as Will Power finished ahead of Neel Jani to capture the checkered flag. Power finished seventh in his other Toronto start.

The Champ Car Series had raced in Toronto since 1986, when Bobby Rahal captured the first of 22 events. Michael Andretti owned the streets of Toronto, winning the race seven times. Paul Tracy and Al Unser Jr were two-time champions. Tracy had 11 top-10 finishes in his 16 races in Toronto.

Several current drivers have had modest success in Toronto. Dario Franchitti competed in six CART races, winning two poles and capturing the race in 1999. Alex Tagliani raced eight times in Toronto and posted seven top-10 finishes.

The racing begins and everyone on the track is serious about a good result. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

The following play by play gleaned from Twitter "Tweets", Comments from IndyCar Timing & Scoring, and The EDJE direct entry -

FuriousWedgeThat was a relatively normal command to start engines considering it was Gene Simmons... nice Honda shout out too #indycar

kvracingKV Racing are doing there warm up laps, Moraes is P13 and Tracy P15. Green Flag next

VisionRacingCars are on track and lining up for start. Green flag coming up.

MyNameIsIRLCanadian Air Force just buzzed Jack Arute's tower.

13:17:44 GMT-0400 Lap 0: Will Power is off the course in Turn 1.

13:18:07 GMT-0400 Lap 0: Graham Rahal has some front wing damage.

FuriousWedgePower off course after contact with Graham; Dixon, Conway and Doornbos on the move big time! #indycar

VisionRacingDamage to rahal's car. Came into pits and out again. Ed is p19.

kvracingAfter first lap PT had a great start at moved to P8, Moraes made P12

13:20:25 GMT-0400 Lap 2: Will Power and Ryan Briscoe had flat tires.

indy44crappy start should have been waved off

13:22:29 GMT-0400 Lap 4: Dario Franchitti is looking strong as the lead goes over 2.5 seconds.

RaceDriveHow could they throw the Green Flag for the Start for Toronto IndyCar race - That ? was lined up ?

13:26:01 GMT-0400 Lap 8: Full course yellow for contact in Turn 3 between Dan Wheldon and Richard Antinucci.

VisionRacingI got distracted for a second and all of a sudden there are two Penskes behind Ed. I'm not in Kansas anymore am I? Oh Canada right.

TheEDJE@VisionRacing Yes Virginia .... There is a Santa Claus - Ed is in front of 2/3irds of the Penske Team #irl

13:29:50 GMT-0400 Lap 10: Some drivers mid-pack come into the pits to play strategy.

13:31:15 GMT-0400 Lap 10: Back to green flag racing!

indy44AGR rolling the dice

VisionRacingEd will be p12 for the #indycar restart @ Toronto. (BTW Penske cars had flat tires + had to pit after a ping pong game broke out on track.)

kvracingPT is P9 and Moraes P11, KVRT have decided not to come in to pits. So move to P6 and P8 respectively

13:32:32 GMT-0400 Lap 12: Full course yellow for Ed Carpenter stalled against the wall in Turn 6. He made light contact.

VisionRacingEd stuck between 6+7. Never got to go green. Had crap on his tires. No damage to car. Just a flat spot on tires.

FuriousWedgeSo we're 0 for 2 on halfway decent starts; If I'm Barnhart I'm warning Dario for the 2 previous jumps and flagging him if he does it again

13:34:04 GMT-0400 Lap 12: Pits are open.

TheEDJEI guess this puts Ed behind ALL of the Penske Team - Dang!

13:35:26 GMT-0400 Lap 13: Green flag this time by.

kvracingGreen Flag next time by. PT and Moraes are side by side for restart, P6 and P7 respectively

GREEN Flag!

FuriousWedgeConway taking looks inside Doornbos & Tracy trying to get by Conway, Doornbos using F1 style blocking but couldn't hold it off

13:37:13 GMT-0400 Lap 14: Robert Doornbos loses two places.

13:39:19 GMT-0400 Lap 16: Dario Franchitti is extending his lead.

FuriousWedge@PlanetIrldotcom theres a difference between falling asleep at the green and being brake-checked

13:40:01 GMT-0400 Lap 17: Will Power makes his way around Hideki Mutoh for P19.

PlanetIrldotcom@FuriousWedge Well they are professionals. They need to be ready for it.

MyNameIsIRLI bet Will Power is having some great battling for position right now while we watch the leaders go round and round. Guess I'll never know.

13:42:49 GMT-0400 Lap 20: Dario Franchitti is gaining around .2 seconds a lap on the field.

13:43:48 GMT-0400 Lap 21: Dario Franchitti has pushed his lead to over three seconds and continues to pull away.

VisionRacingOk. Top 5 is Dario Tag Dixon Conway Tracy. 2 Canucks, 1 Scot, 1 Kiwi and 1 Brit. It's the racing version of the Commonwealth games!

TheEDJE@VisionRacing That's the IRL - to bring American racing back to Americans! Well, at least we have some North Americans #irl

FuriousWedgeMoraes now around Doornbos, we don't need to see that though... am curious as to where Doornbos' speed has gone, he's dropping every few

13:47:25 GMT-0400 Lap 24: Robert Doornbos has switched to the primary tire.

13:47:58 GMT-0400 Lap 25: Local yellow in Turn 8 for Ed Carpenter off course.

VisionRacingLap 25 of 85. Dario still leads. Leaders will start to pit. Ed is a lap down but can make it up here. He radioed in that he is losing grip.

FuriousWedgeHoly $&*@ Marty Reid Paul Tracy does not look at all like any other car in the field, he was 3 spots ahead of Doornbos, how do to F that up?

13:49:21 GMT-0400 Lap 26: Dario Franchitti and Marco Andretti nearly touched out of the pits.

VisionRacingEd feeling a bit sheepish. Well at least we're getting a bit of TV time right. Engineer Jeff Britton tells Ed to settle down.

Paul Tracy would have made a good showing if he were not so aggressive with Helio Castroneves toward the end. For many parts of the race ... it was led by the two Canadian Transition Player drivers of Alex Tagliani, Conquest Racing and Paul driving for KV racing Technology. Image Credit Andy Sallee (2009)

13:50:23 GMT-0400 Lap 27: Paul Tracy is putting pressure on Mike Conway for P3.

kart58Tag in the lead! Tag in the lead! *happy dance*

13:50:41 GMT-0400 Lap 27: Paul Tracy gets by Mike Conway to take P3 going into Turn 3.

indy44Tag P1 nice,Dixon,Tracy,Conway,Moraes

TheEDJEThe Canadians want to own this first race of the IRL in Toronto! #irl

PlanetIrldotcomPT in P3. no, no, no. *headdesk*

13:53:22 GMT-0400 Lap 30: Paul Tracy is putting the pressure on Tagliani for P1.

TheEDJEThere is going to be a punchout trackside - sound familiar? #irl

13:54:46 GMT-0400 Lap 31: Scott Dixon is working Graham Rahal hard for P13.

VisionRacingCanadians are 1-2 when was the last time that happened? 2003? Never mind. .

Tagliani and Tracy in the pits together!

13:55:35 GMT-0400 Lap 32: Paul Tracy switches to red tires.

13:56:57 GMT-0400 Lap 33: Mike Conway make contact with the wall to blow his tire.

kvracingPT is in for tires and fuel. Moraes is now running P1 and PT is P10

13:57:44 GMT-0400 Lap 34: Alex Tagliani gives up the lead to take his first pit stop.

VisionRacingPT is on friggin' fire. He's putting on a drifting show on out there on the streets of Toronto. He IS the show right now.

TheEDJEPT is taking the IRL to temporary street course school! #irl

13:58:51 GMT-0400 Lap 35: Mario Moraes gives up the lead to pit.

kvracingMoraes just pitted from P1, fuel and black tires. Now PT is P7 after his stop and MM P11

tracksideonlineTracy is making a statement. It's called "I should be in a full-time ride."

Mike Conway retires after hitting the wall by himself. Meanwhile, back up front ...

14:02:03 GMT-0400 Lap 38: Helio Castroneves is closing in on Tomas Scheckter for the lead.

MyNameIsIRLTomas Scheckter leads on a street course?? Maybe there's something to that MonaVie stuff after all.

14:04:30 GMT-0400 Lap 40: Helio Castroneves has cut the lead to under .5 seconds.

14:05:15 GMT-0400 Lap 41: Tomas Scheckter comes into the pits, giving Helio Castroneves the lead.

RacingNationBTW, the Will Power car is based on Al Unser's cars circa 1983-1987, he usually had the blue trim, Mears had yellow with red trim.

14:06:27 GMT-0400 Lap 42: Will Power slid through his marks in the pits.

FuriousWedge"I get my red and wiht mixed up" umm Reid, just get up and walk out of the booth now, let Welch fill in, he knows his stuff; "

TheEDJEMarty Reid is a baffooooooone!

VisionRacingI'd qualify this as a pretty entertaining action packed street fight on wheels. Wouldn't you?! Top5 is Scheckter Helio Power Wilson RHR

tracksideonlineThere's a great battle between Kanaan, Power, and Viso while ABC watches the leaders trundle around.

14:09:14 GMT-0400 Lap 44: Due to various pit strategies, Helio Castroneves has a five second lead.

kvracingPit window is opening up again for other cars. MM and PT did great fuel saving so staying out longer and moving up grid. PT is P4 & MM is P8

MyNameIsIRL"We've learned that Richard Antinucci's car has been taken behind the wall". Sounds like they're going to put it down. About time.

14:13:07 GMT-0400 Lap 48: Helio Castroneves gives up the lead for what could be his last stop of the race. He takes a set of red tires.

VisionRacingGet your popcorn ready. Tag + Tracy battle up front coming up... Ed coming in to pit next lap.

tracksideonlineWilson pits. They must think they can make it 35 laps on a tank of fuel. Castroneves is trying the same thing from one lap further.

14:15:41 GMT-0400 Lap 50: Tony Kanaan is in the pits to get some sticker red tires.

TheEDJEAlex Tagliani, Conquest racing leads the field again with Paul Tracy, KV Racing Technology 2.2 sec. in tow. #irl

kvracingPT is now P2 and MM is P4 now that everyone has pitted. Lap 51 of 85.

TheEDJEGotta' love the CCWS "Transition Player" influence in this race!

tracksideonlineHelio's 15 seconds behind Tagliani, but looks as though he will try to go 37 laps on this tank of fuel and reds. Hmm

14:21:33 GMT-0400 Lap 56: Paul Tracy switches from black tires to sticker

MyNameIsIRLDario is all up on Moraes and...they cut away. Is there a rule that we're not allowed to see any actual passing?

indy44That would be a shocker,if Tracy and Tagliani are battling for the win at the end

14:21:33 GMT-0400 Lap 56: Paul Tracy switches from black tires to sticker reds.

14:23:50 GMT-0400 Lap 58: Full course yellow for contact between Graham Rahal and Ed Carpenter.

indy44YELLOW for Rahal

TheEDJERahal's fault #irl

VisionRacingYeah that was our car...airborne. And Rahal in the wall. Ed says car feels okay. He's staying out.

FuriousWedgeI love how ABC is so quick to blame Ed Carpenter for not seeing Graham make a very ill advised move where there was no space for it

14:26:34 GMT-0400 Lap 59: Pits are open.

PlanetIrldotcom@VisionRacing How? He was in the air! As in not on the earth!

FuriousWedgeWhy does it seem like ABC is still not paying attention to the fact that Helio is in a prime position for this race!?

TheEDJE@FuriousWedge - I'm hip, there is finally a story to tell in an IRL race, and ABC is asleep! #irl

14:30:42 GMT-0400 Lap 61: Back to green flag racing!

kvracingPT pitted just in time and remains P3, not so lucky with MM, he is P13 after having to pit on yellow. Both cars on red tires, lap 63 of 85

tracksideonlineMutoh getting inhaled on the restart.

14:32:27 GMT-0400 Lap 63: Paul Tracy got a little loose going into the turn.

indy44I'm expecting one more yellow coming up in a couple laps,drivers are going all Banzai

14:33:14 GMT-0400 Lap 64: Dario Franchitti takes the lead out of Turn 1.

indy44Tell em Jimmy [Vasser],like I said put on Dario's glass slipper

14:34:12 GMT-0400 Lap 65: Paul Tracy is looking to move into P2 and is all over Helio Castroneves.

14:34:58 GMT-0400 Lap 65: Full course yellow for contact in Turn 4 between Paul Tracy and Helio Castroneves.

MyNameIsIRLOMG! Of all the guys to take out PT it had to be Helio!

indy44Helio and Tracy dance into the concrete

chunter16Vintage Paul Tracy. They both deserve the damage though.

FuriousWedgeTracy's fault-Helio's fault? little of both but Helio was definitely blocking Tracy up until that turn Dario was getting away cause of Helio

TheEDJEREPLAY - Helio takes Tracy OUT ... In the wall! #irl

Crowd reaction to Helio Castroneves as he gets out of his Dallara, these stands are located just across the track from the Penske pits. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

14:38:28 GMT-0400 Lap 67: Pits are open.

kvracingCrowd booing Helio on the replay for taking @paultracy3 out. He now finishes race P18 after trying for P2 :(

Helio Castroneves hears the crowd reaction to the racing incident that took out Paul Tracy. The crowd was not happy. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

VisionRacingIf we have to replace a tow link, they'll have to shut the motor off. Coming in.

indy44Nice comments by Tracy, I was expecting something totally different

GREEN Flag - LAP 71

14:44:39 GMT-0400 Lap 71: Will Power moves into P3 after making a great move on Justin Wilson.

14:45:50 GMT-0400 Lap 72: Local yellow in Turn 3 as EJ Viso and Mario Moraes lock up the brakes going into the turn.

PlanetIrldotcomGet off the track and let the real drivers fight it out. Do not charge into a corner that late. You got what you deserved. Now, where was I?

14:46:43 GMT-0400 Lap 73: EJ Viso is restarted and returns to the race.

MyNameIsIRLThey need to be playing the theme from "Jaws" whenever Power is shown today. He's been devouring people all day.

YELLOW Flag

chunter16Everyone trying too hard at the end of the straight

14:48:39 GMT-0400 Lap 75: Mario Moraes continues on as Scheckter is in the tires and Tagliani is restarted.

14:49:23 GMT-0400 Lap 75: Pits are open.

indy44Right now I would suspect Barnhardt coughing up blood and mic blown on his headset,LMAO

14:50:53 GMT-0400 Lap 76: Mario Moraes gets a new front wing and returns to the race.

TheEDJEWell, this certainly isn't oval racing! #irl

kvracing8 laps to go, Moraes is now P10

14:53:51 GMT-0400 Lap 77: Back to green flag racing!

14:54:20 GMT-0400 Lap 78: Dario Franchitti gets a great restart and pulls away.

FuriousWedgeWave off the f'n start Barnhart that was absolutely ridiculous, f'n embarrasing #indycar

MyNameIsIRLMarty Reid just confused Tagliani's white car with Viso's grey car. Can we get a sobriety test in the broadcast booth?

indy44Officials scared of a crash on restart,so they allow this garbage

tracksideonlineReally? We need to play ask the analyst with six laps to go? Try again, ABC.

14:56:10 GMT-0400 Lap 80: Scott Dixon is looking strong as he is all over Will Power.

So it is Briscoe, being led by Franchitti and being followed by teammate Will Power then followed by Scott Dixon. More Ganassi, Penske, Penske, Ganassi racing. At least this wasn't an oval.

14:59:09 GMT-0400 Lap 82: Will Power and the train behind him have caught up to Ryan Briscoe.

PlanetIrldotcom@openpaddock You don't come from that far back and stick your nose in. But it is PT so sticking his nose where it doesn't belong is normal.

Dario Franchitti shows everyone that he had been here before - wins going away from the field at Toronto. Image Credit Andy Sallee (2009)

15:00:21 GMT-0400 Lap 84: White flag. Dario Franchitti leads Ryan Briscoe by 1.6048 seconds.

indy44I still don't like the call by officials to let Dario pit,BS!!!!

PlanetIrldotcomEveryone get your mute buttons ready. ASLEY JUDD ALERT!!!!

15:01:16 GMT-0400 Lap 85: Dario Franchitti wins the Honda Indy Toronto!

MyNameIsIRLGanassi, Penske, Pesnke, Ganassi. Then universal underdog Justin Wilson.

RacingNationDario Wins! Dario dominates today. Cue Ashley.

kvracingMoraes #5 Azul - Votorantim - KV racing technology car finished 11th, he drove a great race, did a lot of overtaking

indy44Will Power best of the rest,good job!

How hte IndyCar Series field fared (** denotes Transition Player)

Pos - Driver - Team - Gap
1. Dario Franchitti Ganassi 1h43m47.1408
2. Ryan Briscoe Penske + 1.6745s
3. Will Power Penske + 2.1355s**
4. Scott Dixon Ganassi + 2.4803s
5. Justin Wilson Coyne + 2.9230s**
6. Danica Patrick Andretti Green + 6.4095s
7. Ryan Hunter-Reay Foyt + 7.1837s
8. Marco Andretti Andretti Green + 8.2552s
9. Alex Tagliani Conquest + 13.4745s**
10. Raphael Matos Luczo Dragon + 16.0983s
11. Mario Moraes KV + 19.0141s
12. Hideki Mutoh Andretti Green + 1 lap
13. EJ Viso HVM + 1 lap**
14. Dan Wheldon Panther + 1 lap
15. Ed Carpenter Vision + 3 laps

Retirements:

Tomas Scheckter Dreyer & Reinbold 74 laps
Tony Kanaan Andretti Green 70 laps
Helio Castroneves Penske 65 laps
Paul Tracy KV 65 laps**
Graham Rahal Newman/Haas/Lanigan 57 laps**
Richard Antinucci 3G 41 laps
Mike Conway Dreyer & Reinbold 32 laps
Robert Doornbos Newman/Haas/Lanigan 26 laps**
----
The next race on the IndyCar Series schedule is the Rexall Edmonton Indy, July 26th at Edmonton City Centre Airport. Scott Dixon is the defending champion of the 2008 Rexall Edmonton Indy.

... notes from The EDJE

Additional Video & Photo Assets