It's Ed Carpenter in the Dollar General Sarah Fisher Racing Dallara by a nose and a Push-To-Pass on the Downy soap sponsored Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Dario Franchitti (just 0.0098sec at the line, the closest finish at Kentucky and sixth closest in series history) who get extra points for leading the most laps. Image Credit: Paul DalbeyKentucky 300 - Carpenter Inches Out Franchitti Tweet-By-Tweet
Will Power took the championship lead over Dario Franchitti by 11 points ... now 12 with the Peak Pole award during qualifications ... after his runner-up finish two weeks ago in Motegi, Japan.
On ovals, Power and Franchitti trail Scott Dixon for the A.J. Foyt Trophy honoring the best driver on oval tracks for the ICS season. Motegi winner Dixon leads Franchitti 181-164 with Power an additional 19 points behind.
Dixon faces elimination from the overall championship this weekend, at 59 points behind Power. If he can't close to within 53, his title chances are officially over.
Power and Franchitti have been closer on ovals than it might appear on the surface, as Power looks to secure his first title. The Australian actually holds a qualifying edge, 7.67 to 7.83, from the six oval races this season.
Hoping for a good result this weekend are Helio Castroneves, the 2010 Kentucky winner, and Ed Carpenter, the 2010 Kentucky polesitter and twice defending runner-up finisher. While Carpenter's Sarah Fisher effort showed impressive pace in qualifying at both Indianapolis and Texas, it's been largely a struggle from there this season.
(ht: racer.com)
The following is a feel for the Kentucky 300 as it happened via entries limited to 140 characters as seen on the social communications web portal, Twitter (with a few added live blogging entries from The EDJE). Welcome to the Kentucky 300, Tweet-By-Tweet!
kvracingKV Racing Technology
Driver Introductions are underway, hope u have tuned into @versusindycar
tial99 Tia by indy44
They are really workin driver introductions @KySpeedway! We've got flames of fire, sparklers of fireworks & Van Halen "Right Now". #indycar
its_meatballCorey Ashenfelter
Anyone have the radio broadcast, safety team & race control scanner frequencies for todays race? #indycar#kyspeedway
seeuatthefrontKatie
Having fun introducing mom to the current #IndyCarfield a bit at a time. She likes the 2012 car, too :-D
NewmanHaasNewman Haas Racing
Being told we are being recognized on the @VersusIndyCar broadcast. Let us know if you hear it!
MoreFrontWingMore Front Wing
Not a particularly warm welcome for Danica. She'll get better next year.
tracksideonline TrackSide Online
Crowd abysmal. Nothing else to say, really.
Oriol Servia as he sit in his Telemundo Newman Haas Honda Dallara office getting ready to race. Image Credit: Newman Haas
NewmanHaasNewman Haas Racing
AWESOME! "@LewisFranck:@NewmanHaas right after Chickenfoot! Polaris Hardest Working Team award clip. Then showed Oriol."
asapsportsASAP Sports
KENTUCKY INDY 300 interviews bit.ly/oFK4I2w/ Scott Dixon Dario Franchitti Will Power Graham Rahal IZOD #INDYCAR
eddstrawF1Edd Straw
Good to see @DBattistinimaking his IndyCar debut. Covered some of his races when he won the UK Caterham Superlight Championship in 2003!
TheEDJEEdmund Jenks
An all CCWS alumni front row to start this OVAL race with Power and Rahal - The evolution of IRL to IndyCar - #indycar
Drivers, Start Your Engines!
shagersShane Rogers
Need to train the pit techs when 1 is not hot to say "1 cold", not "1 not". Not sounds a lot like hot. #indycar
IndyCarPRINDYCAR PR
Field is rolling for the first pace laps.
Formula1Paddock Formula 1 Paddock
IndyCar time!! quite a few brits in tonights race!
GREEN GREEN GREEN! – Lap 1 of 200
The field takes the Green Flag to start the Kentucky 300, the next to last race in the IZOD IndyCar Season. Image Credit: IndyCar_Aldia
NegativeVORPEric Hamme
Clean start. Surprised. Good job everybody. #indycar
estradawriting Christopher Estrada
Will Power leads the first lap. #IndyCar
Dan_BrunellDan Brunell
I interested in seeing how Race Control screws the #Indycarrace up today. They have to be running out of ideas by now.
Lap 10 of 200
f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live
Power has a slight margin over Rahal, who has Hinchcliffe right behind him. Franchitti up two places to ninth. #indycar
tial99 Tia
Sheriff Deputy in stands. Guess they're serious about the rules! I'm not standing but my feet can't stop bouncing! Shaking Stands. #indycar
BrunoTarulli34Bruno Tarulli
#IndyCarOtro link: bit.ly/mZo43t
Lap 20 of 200
Dario passes Dixon to take over P8 … up from P11
IndyCarIZOD IndyCar Series
Graham Rahal and James Hinchcliffe are battling for second! Power up by 0.6983 seconds.
indy44Matt Archuleta
Bell +12 Briscoe +8 Wheldon +7 #IndyCar
seeuatthefrontKatie
Love watching @Hinchtownmaking @GrahamRahal's life difficult. Can tell Hinch has him rattled. #IndyCar
f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live
Hinchcliffe still very close to Rahal but can't find a way past, Power one second ahead. #indycar
Lap 30 of 200
99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing
Suspect the changed aero rules are the reason. RT @gochrisuniverse No pack racing. Why would Firestone alter their tire compound? #INDYCAR
Dario passes Carpenter and RHR on Lap 34 for P6
amberclevelandAmber Cleveland
Helio has a water leak in the car...due to engine change just before start. Helio pitting now #IndyCar
tial99 Tia
Castroneves concerns with car. Coming in. #indycar
Lap 40 of 200 – Clean & Green from the “Drop”!
Dario slips back to P9, Dixon moves up to P7 followed by Carpenter at P8
AirNickVNick Van De Sompele
love to see all of the 15 people that still care about indycar are at the race today!
cristina_CHCHTV Cristina Tenaglia
"@IndyCar: Graham Rahal and James Hinchcliffe are battling for second! Power up by 0.6983 seconds."#kentuckyindy300
Lap 50 of 200 Pit Stops begin
Will Power and Ana Beatriz get together – Beartiz is sent out in front of Power
Lap 56 of 200 – Dario Franchitti leads with the top 10 being Hildebrand, Andretti, Dixon, Rahal, RHR, Carpenter, Hinchtown, POWER, and then Briscoe … Castroneves’ day is done
ingridmaeIngrid S
Tough break for Helio. #IndyCar@KySpeedway
Lap 60 of 200
amberclevelandAmber Cleveland
RT @spunk72: Anybody but Dario. Seriously. #IndyCar
A full field races hard behind the leaders at Kentucky Speedway. Image Credit: IndyCar_Aldiamsarmbrester Michael Armbrester
Incredible pit shuffle there! Dario 8th to 1st, Will Power 1st to 8th. Bonkers! #IndyCar
Rachaelwith2AsRachael
I don't quite understand how Dario has put himself in front but I'm loving it!! #indycar
GL2488Glenn Locke
Uh oh, in #indycar it could become a Ganassi 1 2
KySpeedwayKentucky Speedway
.@IndyCar Ky Indy 300 Lap 65: @dariofranchittileads @JRHildebrand by .1030: 3-5: @scottdixon9 @MarcoAndretti @GrahamRahal @RyanHunterReay
Lap 70 of 200
Power drops to P9 – Franchitti, Hildebrand, and Dixon are 1-2-3!
Beard77Wronkle
Watching the IndyCar Kentucky 300. Good race very fast lots of action so far. #IndyCarDominates
Indy_ModeMandy Valentine
I hate Robin Miller. Just FYI. One thing i don't miss about living in Indy is him. #indycar
Lap 79 – YELLOW Flag for debris
Lap 80 of 200
estradawriting Christopher Estrada
Debris in the backstretch, CAUTION Lap 80. #IndyCar
Anthony_StuartAnthony Stuart
Phantom debris cautions, coming soon to an INDYCAR race near you
shagersShane Rogers
Yellow for Will Power's toys which have been thrown out of the pram in turn 2. #indycar
Will Power comes in for adjustments and repairs from the bump given him by Ana Betriz – Down to P18 down by 24 points if race were to end this minute.
StwrdDiscretion Steward's Discretion
Strictly speaking, duct tape isn't approved equipment. But I'll let it go, @12WillPower . THIS time.#indycar#fastesttapeintheworld
FollowAndretti Andretti Autosport
Nice job Team @GoDaddy! RT @IndyCar Danica Patrick gains the most spots coming out of the pits, moving up four spots to ninth.
shagersShane Rogers
Might be two years in a row Will Power's lost the championship due to a hole in his car on a 1.5. Remember Texas 2010? #indycar
Lap 90 of 200
More sidepod repairs to Powers car – sad really.
Verizon Penske Racing's Will Power in for a splash of ethanol and tires late in the race to maintain position of not losing more points to rival and three-time IZOD ICS champion, Dario Franchitti. Image Credit: Paul Dalbey
Lap 91 of 200 RESTART
IndyCarIZOD IndyCar Series
Green flag on Lap 91. Franchitti, Dixon, Andretti, Hildebrand and Rahal lead.
driverswanted07Ross Bynum
Can I start the "Anybody but Franchitti" chant? #Indycar
LewisFranckLewis Franck
Curious. IndyCar teams have spare noses. No spare sidepods available?
KF4LMTMac McCormick III
@CathyCardinalNothing IndyCar Race Control does anything surprises me.
Report from IMS Radio – Castroneves sidepod will not fit as per team leader Cendric.
Lap 100 of 200
JaysKeysJay's Keys
@IndyCar We're halfway through Kentucky Indy 300. Franchitti leads Andretti by .0626 secs
indy44Matt Archuleta
Will and Liz's dinner table might be pretty quiet tonight. #IndyCar
Lap 110 of 200
motorsport_feed Motor Sport News
#INDYCAR: Conquest Racing Kentucky qualifying report dlvr.it/p1hVk #motorsport
jmcc09 Jenna
Briscoe is tumbling down. Now P15. Anyone at the track listening to his radio? #indycar
GL2488Glenn Locke
Andretti has been trying to pass Franchitti for the last 32 laps. #indycar
Lap 120 of 200
Top 10 are Franchitti, Andretti, Dixon, Carpenter, Hildebrand, Rahal, Hinchcliff, Servia, RHR, and Kimball.
99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing - Wheldon was up to 12th and is now back in 15th. Seems to be slowing a touch. #IndyCar
3Paige14Paige
Will wouldn't have been where he was in the pits if it weren't for his bad qualy run in New Hampshire. #indycar
IndyCarIZOD IndyCar Series
Carpenter has made his way back into the top 5, currently in 4th between Dixon and Hildebrand. Power still holding in 23rd, Patrick in 12th.
Lap 130 of 200
tial99 Tia
Heard over radio "Dont get stupid up there." #indycar
Power within a few laps of going 1 Lap down.
amarquis32Andy Marquis
Franchitti is the luckiest person in motorsports. #IndyCar
Lap 140 of 200
estradawriting Christopher Estrada
Pit stops beginning once more. #IndyCar
Service Central/Ganassi Racing's Graham Rahal in tow behind Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Dario Franchitti ... and ahead of Franchitti team-mate Scott Dixon, Telemundo Newman Haas' Oriol Servia, and eventual race winner, Dollar General Sarah Fisher Racing's Ed Carpenter. Image Credit: Indy Social GridtoomuchracingPat W
yikes RT @estradawriting: WHAT. Carpenter's helmet coming apart and he's holding left side bolts together with his hand. #IndyCar
YELLOW Flag –
KF4LMTMac McCormick III
That was scary. Simona got sideways on pit lane and hit a KV crewman waiting to do pit stop. #IndyCar
WxTurtleColin Z.
Simona was behind Wheldon in pits, was leaving- cold tires, you figure.#indycar
99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing
Pit stops under yellow. Hold your breath. #IndyCar
f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live
Now Andretti in a pit lane collision with Lloyd and Viso. #indycar
Venom Energy Andretti Autosport team as it tends after Marco Andretti's Honda Dallara. Image Credit: Bret KelleytheamyedixonAmy E. Dixon
What is going on at this #IndyCarrace!?
dbsdadTim Blum
Did everyone just forget how to drive?
The Venom Energy car of Marco Andretti unable to continue in the race.
Lap 147 RESTART
SnoopDarrJames Darr
Talking racing, or Ashley Judd? #indycarRT @paultracy3: Dario could have more luck than Jimmy Johnson
Lap 150 of 200
Top 10 being Dario, Rahal, Dixon, Carpenter, RHR, Servia, Hinchcliff, Cunningham, Patrick, & Briscoe.
allancaleyLincsWhite
@IndyCar "Oh Dear! Is that Will Power about to go a lap down, let's throw a yellow and say there was debris on the track!!!"
indy44Matt Archuleta
Correction-> Marco said his Dad was right, it was his fault in the pits. #IndyCar
BJUNQUEIRABRUNO JUNQUEIRA
Too many drivers mistakes in the pits, the mechanics are paying the price @IndyCar what do you think @paultracy3 ?
Lap 160 of 200
tial99 Tia
Race to finish is gonna be about fuel. Graham doesn't have enough to make it to the end. Plan is to draft off Dario. #indycar
CharlesRBlackCharles Black
@67edcarpenter to P3!! He's flying! Clearly not worried about saving fuel. #IndyCar
Lap 167 – YELLOW Flag
GL2488Glenn Locke
Ana BEATRIZ HAS CRASHED HARD, yikes #indycar
NegativeVORPEric Hamme
Ouch, that looks like a big whack for Bia. #indycar
stevie_mariee StevieMarie Nicole
Rough day in @IndyCarracing. First Simona then Andretti now Beatrice....
_michaelcurry_Michael J Curry
So look out RT @IndyCar: Pits are open.
davedusickDave Dusick
“@IndyCar: Yellow flag, Ana Beatriz hits the wall.” <-- Franchitti, Rahal & Carpenter lead them into pits... Should be final stop. Lap 169.
Lap 170 of 200
burk992Chris Burk
Most are staying out. This is gonna get stupid. #indycar
hotrod_dqDale Quinn
If you think the stands at Dover are empty, check the Indycar race from Kentucky on Versus. You see more people at a bus stop!!!
NegativeVORPEric Hamme
Unfortunately, I think this race can be called. Dario's going to win unless Ed pulls off a miracle. #indycar
msarmbrester Michael Armbrester
First half of race: pretty clean. Second half of race: giant hot mess. #IndyCar
Dan_BrunellDan Brunell
Everything has fell into Dario's lap today. #indycar
tommifinntommifinn
#IndyCar#Beatriz: at least some justice, happy to see you on the wall. you deserved it!!!
Lap 178 of 200 – RESTART
Top 5 are Franchitti, Dixon, Carpenter, Ryan Hunter-Reay, & Oriol Servia … Rahal at P16 … Power last on lead lap at P19.
Close, high-speed action at the line during the Kentucky 300. Image Credit: Brett Kelley
Carpenter passes Dixon for P2 and plants himself on Franchitti’s tail.
ThrashdannyDaniel Mayhew
an amazing indycar race action all over the place and incidents in the pits
Lap 180 of 200
besweeetBrian Sweet
Really want Carpenter to win this IndyCar race. 10 laps to go! Finish is going to be super close...
mveilensteinMarcal
9 laps left at Kentucky. Top 10 within 1.5s. #indycar
99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing
When you don't see them for a while, you forget how nutty these restarts are on ovals! Breathe... breathe... #indycar
f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live
Carpenter side-by-side with Franchitti for the lead. #indycar
KySpeedwayKentucky Speedway
.@IndyCar Ky Indy 300: @67edcarpenter led lap 185, still tight with @dariofranchitti
CharlesRBlackCharles Black
Dollar General is really getting it's money worth from @67edcarpenter and @sfracing #IndyCar
amberclevelandAmber Cleveland
Ed is giving Dario a run for his money. 17 laps left - Dario, Carpenter, Dixon, Cunningham, RHR, Hinch, Briscoe #IndyCar
99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing
I'm yelling at the TV. I never do that! COME ON, ED! #IndyCar
Lap 190 of 200 – Carpenter is counted as the leader of the lap by a fraction of an inch.
SpeedFreakBashBash Beard
Man I love this dogfight between Ed and Dario! #INDYCAR
thehestercutionBrinton Hester
It looks like Carpenter isn't using his overtakes #indycar
EOlmosEduardo Olmos Ayala
Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. #IndyCar
ingridmaeIngrid S
Now this is the kind of finish we live through the yellow finishes for!#IndyCar
Ed Carpenter uses final Push To Pass to catch Franchitti to the line with about an eight inch margin.
WGRFastTrackDave Buchanan
Woooo Ed Carpenter narrowly beats Franchitti for #IndyCarwin at Kentucky
MVBN15 MVBN15
That was a fantastic @IndyCarrace! Congrats to @67edcarpenter@SarahFisher67 and everyone else! #indycar
Team owner Sarah Fisher answers questions about the decision by Dollar General to not renew sponsorship of Ed Carpenter (seated next to Sarah) and Sarah Fisher Racing next year in the post race press conference. Image Credit: Indy Social Gridindyram500Mark Thompson
@DollarGeneral PLEASE don't pull the plug on SFR and Indycar.....patience pays off....what a race!!!
Beard77 Wronkle
Great to see a small team like SFR pick up a huge win on an oval. Hope we see multiple teams winning next season as well. #IndyCar
BUbacktobackChris Love
@67edcarpenter @sarahfisher67 @tomasscheckter Can't wait till Vegas!! This will be lights out!! Way to go Ed. Nice work today!!
chrischiltChris Chilton
What a race that was, pit-lane mayhem, controversy, brilliant wheel to wheel racing. And a winning margin of 1/1000th of a second! #indycar
END - Results and background story here>>
In a post race interview, Penske Racing’s Tim Cendric gave this response when asked how this result effects Will Power’s chances at closing out the season as a winner at the last race in Las Vegas October 16th, 2011 – “Well, you know with a 1-2-3 finish [by Penske Racing ... as we did at Infineon Raceway], Will Power will become champion at the end of the race.”
A tall order since the 18th and final race of the season will feature a 34-car field for the IZOD IndyCar World Championships presented by Honda, which represents the largest field in series history and largest outside Indianapolis since 1997 at Las Vegas.
Going into the last race on October 16, 2011 in Las Vegas we will see Dario Franchitti lead Will Power by 18 points with Scott Dixon bringing up the rear with his A.J. Foyt Trophy in hand at 55 points with no chance for the championship ... but all team-mates (3 for Ganassi and 2 for Penske) may have an affect on just who ends up with the IZOD IndyCar Series championship.
… notes from The EDJE
