On a glorious October weekend for racing from coast to coast, Dario Franchitti led the champion's parade by taking the Indycar season finale at Miami Homestead by playing the tortoise to the hares of competitors Ryan Briscoe and teammate Scott Dixon, snookering the field on fuel strategy to take the season crown in the Indy Racing League. In the first IRL race ever run caution-free, Dario capped off his impressive return to open wheel racing with style as the top three in points set a blistering pace all day, lapping everyone but each other. It was a fantastic display of driving from all the IRL competitors as lots of squirrely moments were experienced as the only incident for the day occurred in pit lane as Danica and Dan Wheldon got together when Wheldon got released just as she was coming into her pit box. Congratulations to Dario and the Target Ganassi team for an awesome season. It's still hard for me to believe that it is over. The withdrawal symptoms are already beginning to show themselves; it's a good thing I have the races recorded for viewing this winter!
In the American LeMans series, Scott Sharp and David Brabham of Patron Highcroft Racing took the LMP1 class season title on the "left coast" following the season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz completed an Acura sweep of season honors by taking the LMP2 category title. Let's hope they can make it back in 2010 if sponsorship concerns can be overcome and I'm sure the Acura brass would love to see some more compeitition next year in ALMS. The Flying Lizard bunch ruled GT2 with Jorg Bermeister and Patrick Long taking the season honors in their Porsche while the Corvette of Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta really only had to worry about their teammates most of the year in GT1.
In the Rolex Grand Am series, The Gainsco crew was once again led by Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty in arguably the most competitive sports car series running in North America today. I look forward to even higher levels of excitement for this series in 2010, especially if the recent test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway results in a 2011 race date as part of the Speedway's Centennial Celebration. Congratulations are also due for the Farnbacher Loles team for taking the GT title in their Porsche.
Finally, hats off to Justin Lofton who eked out a close series title win over Parker Kligerman who dominated the ARCA winer's circle this year but fell short on the basis of bonus points which cost him the title. In a true battle of the young guns, the ARCA series showcased some of the best young oval track talent in the USA this season and I look forward to an even more exciting season in 2010. Congratulations to all the winners! I'm sure there were some nice parties thrown this weekend. I will see you all at the race track next year.
1 comment:
Always like looking at your photos. One day, I'll catch a snap that might rival yours :)
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