Oak Park Newspaper

Unlike the past few weeks here, Race Day started and ended with rain. Though the 33 cars took the green flag from honorary starter Peyton Manning at the appointed time, the red flag flew on Lap 113 because of a cloud burst that engulfed the track. After a 2-hour, 57-minute delay, Kanaan led the field to the green flag. During the three pace laps, Franchitti pitted because of a right-rear tire puncture.

Franchitti became only the second Scotsman to win the Indianapolis 500 in an exciting, rain-shortened race. It was Franchitti’s first victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” in his fifth start Franchitti earned $1,645,233 from a record purse of $10,668,815 for his victory May 27 in the 91st Indianapolis 500-Mile Race.

“Who would have thought it?” said Franchitti, whose rain-soaked firesuit didn’t dampen his enthusiasm as he chugged the traditional winner’s bottle of milk in Victory Circle. “I can’t believe it. It’s the Indianapolis 500.”

Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon was runner-up,
while pole sitter and two-time 500-Mile Race winner Helio Castroneves of Team Penske finished third. Sam Hornish Jr., who last year gave team owner Roger Penske his 14th Indy 500 title, finished fourth and Ryan Briscoe in the No. 12 Luczo Dragon Racing car (a Team Penske satellite program) rounded out the top five.

Franchitti’s winnings and the total purse were announced May 28 during the Indianapolis 500 Victory Celebration at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His win in the No. 27 Canadian Club Dallara/Honda/Firestone gave Andretti Green Racing its second Indianapolis 500 victory in the past three years.

This year’s event purse broke the record of $10,518,565 set in 2006. This is the sixth consecutive year the overall purse for the field of 33 drivers has exceeded $10 million. The event purse is comprised of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indy Racing League and sponsor awards, and other designated awards. Buddy Rice earned the record driver’s payout of $1,761,740 in 2004.

Dario Franchitti, the Winner of the 91st Racing of the
Indy 500.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photo

Franchitti, a 34-year-old native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and resident of Nashville, Tenn., led three times for 34 laps and inherited the lead on Lap 155 when teammate Tony Kanaan pitted. A multi-car accident on the backstretch brought out the caution on Lap 163, and Franchitti crossed the Yard of Bricks beneath the yellow and checkered flag on Lap 166 in a heavy downpour.

The race featured 23 lead changes among nine drivers. Tony Kanaan led the most laps with 83.

Indianapolis 500 Victory Tour stops in New York: Dario Franchitti’s first day as Indianapolis 500 champion began early with numerous photo shoots – including one for his likeness to be crafted for the Borg-Warner Trophy. Day 2 began even earlier as he departed Indianapolis for a four-city Victory Tour.

Gene Simmons, lead singer of KISS likes fast cars too...
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photo

Franchitti was a guest on the popular morning TV show “Live
with Regis and Kelly,” where he recounted the soggy day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Among other TV, print and radio interviews on the first day of
the Victory Tour, Franchitti was able to squeeze in a visit to The Parlour on West 86th Street – a renowned hangout for Glasgow Celtic supporters, including the 500-Mile Race champion.

ESPN, Fox Sports, CNN, SportsNet, Fox and Friends and “New York Live” appearances followed.

May 30’s stop on the Victory Tour includes an appearance that might be more stressful than the 2-hour, 57-minute rain delay on May 27. Franchitti will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Minute Maid Park in Houston before the Astros’ game against
the Cincinnati Reds.

“That was a problem; I have never thrown a baseball,” he said. “That should be interesting. Hopefully, I will put a decent throw over. I played cricket in school, but I was really bad at it. I preferred rugby.” Just don’t ask him to Wrigley Field to sing “Take Me Out to The Ballgame.”

On fellow Scottish driver Jim Clark… Dario Franchitti wasn’t born when Jim Clark won the Indianapolis 500 in 1965. But that didn’t stop him from idolizing the Scottish racing legend.

“I think he's a hero for any Scottish driver, and really one of the best drivers in the world ever,” said Franchitti, who claimed an Indianapolis 500 title of his own on May 27.

Franchitti had hoped to mark the 40th anniversary of Clark’s win with a victory of his own, and explained that his failure to do so had seen him contemplate retirement.

"[The fact that] was the 40th anniversary of Jim Clark winning it was one of the reasons I was so (upset) I didn't win in 2005," he said. "I was so upset.

"Jackie Stewart came over and watched the race. My old boss, obviously one of my heroes, came to watch me race. It was looking good for a while, but it didn't turn out.”

Still, Franchitti has long cherished the legacy of Clark, and said he felt truly humbled when he saw the winner's Borg-Warner Trophy and saw the name of Clark on it.

“I saw some of the names, including my hero Jim Clark, then I was in awe. To see the great names that are on there, it's such a humbling experience,” he said. “It’s amazing to think I’m going to be on it. It’s such an honor.”

Next up for Franchitti and his IRL competitors is The Milwaukee Mile, another track where he shares a victory with Clark.

“I’m ready for Milwaukee,” he said. “I’m eager to get back in the car. It will be a busy week. It’s Milwaukee and I love that track. When the cars are as good as they are now. You just want to get in a drive them. I’m ready to go.”

A.J. Foyt Racing crew member Dan Brown was released from Methodist Hospital on May 28. Brown, the right-rear tire changer for Al Unser Jr.’s No. 50 entry, sustained multiple left foot fractures after he was accidentally struck on pit lane. He will return to Methodist Hospital from his home in Chicago to undergo surgery.

The 2007 IndyCar Series season continues with the ABC Supply/A.J. Foyt 225 presented by Time Warner Cable at 4 p.m. (ET) on June 3 at The Milwaukee Mile. The race will be telecast live by ABC and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network. The sixth season of Indy Pro Series competition continues with the Road Runner 100 on June 2 at The Milwaukee Mile. The race will be telecast at 6 p.m. on June 7 by ESPN2.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway :: Sun, 27 May 2007

Pos.    Driver              Qual Speed    Laps    Status

1 Dario Franchitti 225.191    166    Running
2 Scott Dixon              225.122    166    Running
3 Helio Castroneves    225.817    166    Running
4 Sam Hornish Jr.       225.109    166    Running
5 Ryan Briscoe            224.410    166    Running
6 Scott Sharp               223.875    166    Running
7 Tomas Scheckter       222.877    166    Running
8 Danica Patrick        224.076    166    Running
9 Davey Hamilton       222.327    166    Running
10 Vitor Meira             222.333    166    Running
11 Jeff Simmons          223.693    166    Running
12 Tony Kanaan          225.757    166    Running
13 Michael Andretti 222.789    166    Running
14 A.J. Foyt IV            222.413    165    Running
15 Alex Barron            220.471    165    Running
16 Kosuke Matsuura 222.595    165    Running
17 Ed Carpenter          223.495    164    Accident
18 Sarah Fisher           221.960    164    Running
19 Buddy Lazier      221.380    164    Running
20 Darren Manning     223.471    164    Running
21 Roger Yasukawa   222.654    164    Running
22 Dan Wheldon          224.641    163    Accident
23 Richie Hearn           219.860    163    Running
24 Marco Andretti   223.299    162    Accident
25 Buddy Rice             222.826    162    Accident
26 Al Unser Jr.            220.876    161    Running
27 Jaques Lazier         219.409    155    Accident
28 Marty Roth            218.922    148    Accident
29 Phil Giebler                0.000    106    Accident
30 John Andretti          221.756    95    Accident
31 Milka Duno             219.228    65    Accident
32 Jon Herb                 220.108    51    Accident
33 Roberto Moreno      220.299    36     Accident

1. (3) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Honda, 225.817

2. (11) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 225.757

3. (27) Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, 225.191

4. (9) Scott Dixon, Dallara-Honda, 225.122

5. (6) Sam Hornish Jr., Dallara-Honda, 225.109

6. (10) Dan Wheldon, Dallara-Honda, 224.641

7. (12) Ryan Briscoe, Dallara-Honda, 224.410

8. (7) Danica Patrick, Dallara-Honda, 224.076

9. (26) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 223.299

10. (2) Tomas Scheckter, Dallara-Honda, 222.877

11. (39) Michael Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 222.789