'09 Indianapolis 500 Preview
Franchiti Seeks His Second Win for Target Chip Ganassi Racing
Franchitti's '07 Indy 500 victory was an immensely popular one for fans of the native of Edinburgh, Scotland who now lives in Nasvhille, Tenn. with wife actress Ashley Judd. Franchitti's victory, accomplished as a member of the powerful Andretti Green Racing team, was the exclamation point on an open wheel career that began in 1997 in the ChampCar series. After an ill-fated foray into NASCAR last year, Franchitti returned to the Indy Racing League as a member of defending series champion Target Chip Ganassi Racing in '09. With a victory already under his belt this season (Long Beach), Franchitti, who starts the race from the third position, stands third in points.
Andretti Green Racing's Tony Kanaan
The leader of the four-car Andretti Green Racing team, the Brazilian, who starts sixth on Sunday, is probably the most accomplished driver in the field never to have won the 500. The 2004 IRL champion has 13 open wheel victories in his 11-year career and has three top five finishes and four top 10s in his seven Indy 500 starts. He finished 29th in last year's race.
Team Penske's Helio Castroneves
The two-time Indy winner ('01 and '02) missed the first race of the season while his trial on charges of tax evasion played out in a Miami courtroom (he was acquitted), but has come back strong. By earning his third Indy pole, he joins an elite list of drivers, including Rick Mears (6) and A.J. Foyt (4), with multiple pole winning performances. It's never a good idea to count out legendary Team Penske owner Roger Penske. His cars have won the race a record 14 times.
Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon
The Aussie won last year's race and the season points championship for Target Chip Ganassi Racing. Dixon has had a miserable season so far, but he's starting fifth in the race and, thanks to his calm, measured approach, is always a threat on ovals. Last year's season title was his second in the IRL, the first one secured in 2003.
Andretti Green Racing's Danica Patrick
Patrick starts 10th Sunday and has had a strong start to the '09 season. Currently sixth in the points chase, Patrick is starting to show a more even temperament and calmness in the cockpit in her third season with Andretti Green. She has posted back-to-back top finishes heading to Indy and generally performs well on ovals. Her fourth place finish in the '05 race helped to launch her career, but she finished 22nd in last year's 500.
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