Franchitti Sixth, Dixon encounters mechanical problems at Texas
With the sixth-place result, Dario Franchitti entered the top-10 in IZOD IndyCar Series point standings for the first time this season.
Photo by: Michael C. Johnson
FORT WORTH, Texas – Target Chip Ganassi Racing (TCGR) drivers Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon finished fourth and 23rd, respectively in Round 8 of the IZOD IndyCar Series in the Firestone at Texas Motor Speedway.
Franchitti started the race on the outside of the second row after qualifying the No. 10 Belkin Honda fourth. On lap 5 of 228 under caution, Franchitti in eighth held his ground up through lap 15.
On lap 46, Franchitti made his way up to ninth and stayed out on course until he came in for his first stop on lap 53. On lap 64, the No. 10 car drove consistently through to lap 97 in 13th.
On lap 114 under caution, Franchitti jumped to sixth, and on lap 142 while still under caution, the No. 10 car moved up to fourth. With 27 laps to go, Franchitti ran in seventh and was able to pass one car to finish sixth.
Dixon started on the inside of the sixth row after qualifying the No. 9 Target Honda 11th. On lap 5 of 228 under caution, Dixon made his way up to ninth.
While running in ninth on lap 15, the No. 9 car had moved up to seventh by lap 29. On lap 46, Dixon was running in fifth and made his first pit stop of the day on lap 51.
Upon returning to the track the No. 9 car slowed on course. Dixon reported the engine was running but the car had lost drive. On lap 63 under caution, the No. 9 car stopped on track and was towed back to pit lane.
Dixon’s crew changed the gearbox and returned the No.9 car to the course. On lap 85, the No. 9 car headed to the garage for repairs and remained there until lap 142, when Dixon retired from the race, finishing 23rd.
With the results, Dixon is now seventh in the IZOD IndyCar Series point standings with 193 markers, -66 points behind leader Helio Castroneves. Franchitti is now up to 10th with 168 markers, -91 points back.
Honda is second in the manufacturer point standings with 57 points, trailing Chevrolet with 63.
Up next for Team Target is Round 9 of the IZOD IndyCar Series with the Milwaukee IndyFest from West Allis, Wis. on Saturday, June 15th (4:00pm ET, NBC Sports Network).
Chip Ganassi Racing
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