Franchitti at the top

There were three of them who could win the final title in Indycar Series. The situation was simple: the one of the three who won in Miami won the title. And, before this weekend in Miami, Dario Franchitti is undoubtedly the least expected driver. Indeed, Scott Dixon, winner in Motegi, had moved back to the top of the general classification in Japan. But, with the gaps being so small between the three contenders for the title, there was no guarantee that Scott Dixon would finish on the top step. Even a place on the podium in Miami, in the event of victory for one of the two other drivers, was not enough to stay in the lead.

Poleman, Dario Franchitti has the theoretical advantage but quickly finds himself under threat from Scott Dixon, teammate but rival in the title race. Franchitti resisted for a moment then had to cede the race lead to Dixon, who was out to win a new world title. Ryan Briscoe, back at the head of the race, can in turn take the advantage over Franchitti, who sees his dream of a double slip away, after his title acquired in 2007. But is the race still long?

After 46 laps, Ryan Briscoe, second, went through the pits, before being imitated a few laps later by the leader, Scott Dixon. Dario Franchitti therefore took the opportunity to take the lead, before returning in turn. The positions therefore remain the same at the front and Scott Dixon retains the leadership, even if he remains under threat from his two pursuers.

The fight between the three men continues throughout the race and it is ultimately the refueling strategies which will determine the final positions. While Briscoe and Dixon returned to the pits after 144 laps, Franchitti reserved his stop. And despite their attempts to save fuel, Briscoe and Dixon will be forced to add a few drops of gasoline.

Dario Franchitti didn't need that and quite naturally regained the lead when rivals came into the pits, with less than ten laps remaining. The Briton therefore flew to a new success this season, the fifth, and finished at the top of the drivers' championship, for a second title in the Indycar Series, after that of 2007.

The "fight" between Briscoe, Dixon and Franchitti will therefore have been exciting until the end, each driver having held the lead in the standings after the last three races of the season. But it was Dario Franchitti who got there at the right time.

« I can not believe, said Franchitti after the winning race. Everything worked. We stuck to our strategy, and the car was very efficient at the end."