Indycars took to the 2 mile oval at Fontana on Saturday.
The race was, unlike other years, run in the daytime in 90 degree heat. We expected passing and lead changes, and that's exactly what we got. There were 80 lead changes, a new Indycar record. The field never really separated, so we had a lot of on track action and three, four and even five wide racing.
Helio Castroneves led 43 laps in the early stages of the race before going out after a crash with Ryan Briscoe. The rest of the race, the front-runners included Penskes, Ganassis, plenty of Hondas and even rookie Sage Karam.
In the end, it came down to a 3 lap shootout with Graham Rahal winning over Tony Kanaan and a hard charging Marco Andretti who took on fresh tires before the race went back to green.
The race was, unlike other years, run in the daytime in 90 degree heat. We expected passing and lead changes, and that's exactly what we got. There were 80 lead changes, a new Indycar record. The field never really separated, so we had a lot of on track action and three, four and even five wide racing.
Helio Castroneves led 43 laps in the early stages of the race before going out after a crash with Ryan Briscoe. The rest of the race, the front-runners included Penskes, Ganassis, plenty of Hondas and even rookie Sage Karam.
In the end, it came down to a 3 lap shootout with Graham Rahal winning over Tony Kanaan and a hard charging Marco Andretti who took on fresh tires before the race went back to green.
The top 10 Finishers
1. Graham Rahal - His second career win in his 139th start. Hadn't won since he was 19 back in 2008.
2. Tony Kaanan - His sixth podium finish in 12 starts at Fontana.
2. Tony Kaanan - His sixth podium finish in 12 starts at Fontana.
3. Marco Andretti - It was the first time since 1996 (in Vancouver) that an Andretti and a Rahal were on the podium together.
4. Juan Pablo Montoya - Extends his season points lead to 46 over Will Power who was caught up in a late race crash.
5. Sage Karam - The best Indycar finish of his career. Led 5 laps, the first in Indycar.
6. Scott Dixon - Has finished in the Top 10 in 8 of his 9 starts at Fontana.
7. James Jakes - Moved up 16 spots after starting last because he did not qualify due to an engine issue.
6. Scott Dixon - Has finished in the Top 10 in 8 of his 9 starts at Fontana.
7. James Jakes - Moved up 16 spots after starting last because he did not qualify due to an engine issue.
8. Charlie Kimball - His best finish in four races at Fontana. Previous best was 10th.
9. Simon Pagenaud - Started on the pole for the first time on an oval.
10. Jack Hawksworth - His 4th career Top 10 in 29 Indycar races.
9. Simon Pagenaud - Started on the pole for the first time on an oval.
10. Jack Hawksworth - His 4th career Top 10 in 29 Indycar races.
Top Ten included..
* 4 Hondas and 6 Chevys
* 1 rookie: Sage Karam
* Only 2 of this season's previous race winners.
* Six different teams
* Drivers from 6 different countries including 4 Americans, and 2 drivers from England.
* 1 rookie: Sage Karam
* Only 2 of this season's previous race winners.
* Six different teams
* Drivers from 6 different countries including 4 Americans, and 2 drivers from England.
Other:
* Fourteen different drivers led at least one lap of the race.
* There were 2,537 passes for position during the race!
Shout Out to:
Sage Karam leading the first laps of his Indycar career!
Pippa Mann for her 13th place finish. Her best finish in her 10 race Indycar career.
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