Dixon Wins the Crown
Gil de Ferran definitely retired from the IRL as a winner. That's what Gil wanted to do, end his IRL career as a winner, on top of his game, at the ripe old age of 35. Winning his last event in the No. 6 Penske Racing's Toyota put the icing on the cake of a racing career of over 70 wins that began back in 1988.
The Chevy 500 was all and more than what it was hyped up to be. With five drivers battling for the championship on the 1.5 mile 24 degree banked Texas racetrack allowing for all out "petal to the metal" racing, there wasn't a dull moment at constant speeds well over 215 miles per hour. Even considering all of the cautions and the bad wreck ending the race, the average speed of the entire race was over 159 miles per hour.
The championship scenario seemed to create a sense of urgency that isn't usually present in IRL events. The wide Texas track allowed side by side, wheel to wheel racing with passing occurring mainly on the inside and very little on the outside. Some of the drivers who preferred the outside line, namely Sam Hornish Jr., didn't fare so well. The inside is always the best on the majority of racetracks. The inside line is always the quickest way to the end, racing less miles to the checkered flag. A lot of times a driver can get a good run on the outside, cutting down to the inside to make a quick pass. Passing on the outside proved to be extremely difficult under full out racing conditions on the Texas track, which proved to hinder Hornish from his championship quest. Hopefully he'll use a different strategy next season when he assumes the drivers seat of the No. 6 Penske Toyota that was given up by de Ferran. If not, Roger Penske will indeed set him straight!
The sense of urgency along with the wheel to wheel racing created a few wrecks and cut down tires. Helio Castroneves cut down one of his rear tires while making contact with Tony Kanaan's tires, taking away his and Kanaan's chances for the championship. Sam Hornish Jr. ended his day and championship hopes with a broken Chevrolet engine.
Latest Articles