The IndyCar Series completed their 11th race of the 17th race schedule on Sunday, with Will Power capturing his first victory of the season and his first in the IndyCar Series. Team Penske teammate finished second, while news series point’s leader Scott Dixon captured third place. The IndyCar Series now moves on to Kentucky Motor Speedway next Saturday, for a night race scheduled to start at 8 p.m. IndyCarGarage breaks down six race reactions from Sunday’s Rexall Edmonton Indy at Edmonton City Centre Airport.
1. Will Power – The best IndyCar Series weekend of his career
Will Power had the best weekend of his IndyCar career, by capturing the pole on Saturday, leading the most laps in Sunday’s race, and finishing it off by capturing the checkered flags on lap 95. Power’s season has been affected by the return of Helio Castroneves from his tax evasion trial, and resulted in a non-full time ride. Power has committed to staying in the Penske Racing stable and still has three more races left in the season, for his yellow Penske Truck Rental machine. Team president, Tim Cindric was quoted after the race as saying, “we will stay the course of their current schedule for Will” after being asked if this win bought him more seat time for the remainder of the season. Regardless of how things shake out for Will, this was a great weekend for his career, and should prove to everyone he belongs full time in the series.
2. Tony Kanaan – Can’t catch a break, and it gets dangerously worse
Tony Kanaan, is arguably having one of his worst seasons as an IndyCar driver, and Sunday’s race only made things worse. Kanaan was exiting his pit on lap 34 when the full cap didn’t close properly, this result in fuel splattering all over Kanaan’s cockpit. Kanaan barley made it down the pits before the fire started. Team Penske and Ganaasi pit crews were spot on with their water buckets and awareness to see what was happening, and probably saved Kanaan from more series injuries. Kanaan admitted to having second degree burns on his hands and face, but remains positive about driving next weekend. The entire Andretti-Green Racing team has had a disappointing year, and Tony Kanaan seems to be getting the worst of it.
3. Scott Dixon recaptures the points lead
Scott Dixon finished third in Sunday’s race and with that finish, it moved him back into first place in the point’s championship. He now leads his teammate, Dario Franchitti by two points, and Team Penske driver Ryan Briscoe by 13 pts. Dixon captured the 2008 championship off the strength of season high six wins. Dixon’s strength this season has been more podium finishes than wins, as he has been on the podium six out of the eleven times this year. Dixon is on pace now to secure his third series championship, as he took home the championship in 2003 and 2008.
4. Dario Franchitti calls out Marco Andretti
Dario Franchitti was quoted in his post-race interview as saying “Marco screwed me for ten laps, I helped him in Watkins Glen two races ago, and I’ll remember this one”. A rare outburst for Franchitti as his usually gentlemen like attitude is shown after races. This is not the type of the relationship the two former AGR teammates probably had envisioned, but it also offers a chance for a rivalry to be carried over into the remaining six races of the season. Andretti has struggled this year while Franchitti has flourished in his return from NASCAR. Watch these two drivers as the series heads to Kentucky.
5. Goodbye and Hello to drivers
Several drivers will be either rejoining or departing the IndyCar Series as they move onto their 12th race of the season. Paul Tracy has fulfilled his requirements with KV Racing and wants to return full time next year. Alex Tagliani and the Conquest Racing team could possibly be gone for the remaining oval portion of the schedule. Richard Antinucci could possibly be replaced by Jacque Lazier for the 3G Motor sports program. Sarah Fisher will return for her fourth race of a six race deal in the Dollar General Car. Scott Sharp’s name has been rumored to floating around for a few more races this year, as has Townsend Bells
6. On to Kentucky and the possible announcement of the 2010 schedule.
1. Will Power – The best IndyCar Series weekend of his career
Will Power had the best weekend of his IndyCar career, by capturing the pole on Saturday, leading the most laps in Sunday’s race, and finishing it off by capturing the checkered flags on lap 95. Power’s season has been affected by the return of Helio Castroneves from his tax evasion trial, and resulted in a non-full time ride. Power has committed to staying in the Penske Racing stable and still has three more races left in the season, for his yellow Penske Truck Rental machine. Team president, Tim Cindric was quoted after the race as saying, “we will stay the course of their current schedule for Will” after being asked if this win bought him more seat time for the remainder of the season. Regardless of how things shake out for Will, this was a great weekend for his career, and should prove to everyone he belongs full time in the series.
2. Tony Kanaan – Can’t catch a break, and it gets dangerously worse
Tony Kanaan, is arguably having one of his worst seasons as an IndyCar driver, and Sunday’s race only made things worse. Kanaan was exiting his pit on lap 34 when the full cap didn’t close properly, this result in fuel splattering all over Kanaan’s cockpit. Kanaan barley made it down the pits before the fire started. Team Penske and Ganaasi pit crews were spot on with their water buckets and awareness to see what was happening, and probably saved Kanaan from more series injuries. Kanaan admitted to having second degree burns on his hands and face, but remains positive about driving next weekend. The entire Andretti-Green Racing team has had a disappointing year, and Tony Kanaan seems to be getting the worst of it.
3. Scott Dixon recaptures the points lead
Scott Dixon finished third in Sunday’s race and with that finish, it moved him back into first place in the point’s championship. He now leads his teammate, Dario Franchitti by two points, and Team Penske driver Ryan Briscoe by 13 pts. Dixon captured the 2008 championship off the strength of season high six wins. Dixon’s strength this season has been more podium finishes than wins, as he has been on the podium six out of the eleven times this year. Dixon is on pace now to secure his third series championship, as he took home the championship in 2003 and 2008.
4. Dario Franchitti calls out Marco Andretti
Dario Franchitti was quoted in his post-race interview as saying “Marco screwed me for ten laps, I helped him in Watkins Glen two races ago, and I’ll remember this one”. A rare outburst for Franchitti as his usually gentlemen like attitude is shown after races. This is not the type of the relationship the two former AGR teammates probably had envisioned, but it also offers a chance for a rivalry to be carried over into the remaining six races of the season. Andretti has struggled this year while Franchitti has flourished in his return from NASCAR. Watch these two drivers as the series heads to Kentucky.
5. Goodbye and Hello to drivers
Several drivers will be either rejoining or departing the IndyCar Series as they move onto their 12th race of the season. Paul Tracy has fulfilled his requirements with KV Racing and wants to return full time next year. Alex Tagliani and the Conquest Racing team could possibly be gone for the remaining oval portion of the schedule. Richard Antinucci could possibly be replaced by Jacque Lazier for the 3G Motor sports program. Sarah Fisher will return for her fourth race of a six race deal in the Dollar General Car. Scott Sharp’s name has been rumored to floating around for a few more races this year, as has Townsend Bells
6. On to Kentucky and the possible announcement of the 2010 schedule.
The IndyCar Series will return to Kentucky Motor Speedway on Saturday August 1st for an 8 p.m. start. This also is the date that league officials has mentioned as a possible announcement for the 2010 schedule. Kentucky will mark the first oval race since the IndyCar Series suffered through the Richmond race back in June. This will also mark the first time IndyCar officials will have the chance to show fans that the changes that they offered to the IndyCars teams for the ovals, as a chance to create better racing. All of these storylines should make for an interesting weekend at Kentucky
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