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Franchitti wins rain-shortened Indy

Dario Franchitti, a driver for Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda, celebrates by taking a drink of the traditional bottle of milk in the victory lane on Sunday after winning the Indianapolis 500. PHOTO: AFP

Scotland's Dario Franchitti won the 91st Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, capturing the US oval classic for the first time when the race was halted by rain after 166 of a scheduled 200 laps.

Franchitti, the husband of actress Ashley Judd, became only the second Scotsman to win the Indy Racing League event, the first since Jim Clark in 1965 took the checkered flag at the 4km Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"This is awesome," Franchitti said. "I can hardly believe it. Who would have thought it? Now I know what it means to win this race."

New Zealand's Scott Dixon was second with Brazilian pole sitter Helio Castroneves third, the US' Sam Hornish fourth and Australian Ryan Briscoe fifth after 24 lead changes among nine drivers.

Rain had stopped the race for more than three hours with Brazil's Tony Kanaan leading after 113 laps, but racing resumed and Franchitti, who started on the outside of row one, hung on to win when showers returned.

A puncture forced Franchitti into a risky fuel strategy, staying out when rivals pitted just before the rain returned. His car had only enough fuel for 10 more laps, but rain hit the race at just the right moment for Franchitti.

Milka Duno crashes her Honda into the wall during the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. PHOTO: AFP

"We cut a tire on some debris and had to make a pit stop on lap 143," Franchitti said. "I was trying to save fuel but when it went green I had to go. I can't believe it. To be a member of this club is fantastic. It's awesome."

Kanaan, Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick led when the race resumed after the rain and Kanaan led after a cycle of pit stops when US racer Marty Roth hit the outer wall on lap 150, bringing out the caution flags again.

Kanaan made a pit stop under caution and returned to the field in sixth place for a restart. Rival Jacques Lazier hit the outer wall and Kanaan spun into the pit row, evading the crashed car. Kanaan fell back to finish 12th.

"I managed to keep it on the track. After that, I knew the day was over," Kanaan said.

"My big disappointment will be if we knew we weren't going to finish 200 laps, why would we continue? I have to say Dario is probably thinking the other way around," he said.

"What became a bad day for me became a good one from Dario. If I could pick anybody it would be him. He made me cry and that was not good. He came through tough times. My day will come if it's meant to be," Kanaan said.

Franchitti took over the lead when teammate Kanaan pitted by staying out, knowing he had only enough fuel for 15 laps when full-speed racing resumed on lap 161 but also seeing that another storm was approaching the "Brickyard."

One lap later, Marco Andretti's car went upside down in a crash involving England's Dan Wheldon to bring out yet another caution flag.

"I'm one lucky guy," an unharmed Andretti said. "My right mirror was broken. I had no idea he was there. I'm upside down and just praying to God. I'm just one lucky guy. It felt slow because I was going so fast."

Moments later a downpour erupted, ending any chance for more racing. Franchitti, who was 14th after the rain delay, had enough fuel to follow the pace car into Victory Lane.

"My husband is gifted," Judd said. "I told him, `Babe, just pick them off.' He raced to 14th to first like a gentleman. I'm so proud of him. This is so overdue for him. I know he's thinking of the great Jimmy Clark."

Dixon was not too disappointed at a runner-up finish but wished he had been given an opportunity to challenge Franchitti to the full distance.

"We went out aggressive. The car was coming to us," Dixon said.

"The rain just destroyed everybody's day," he said. "It was such a strange day."

Rain halted the race after 113 laps with Kanaan in the lead. Had the race not resumed, the Brazilian would have been declared the winner in what would have been the second-shortest race in Indy history.

But skies cleared and the track was dried in time to restart the event. Cars had been secured during the delay, with no changes allowed before the restart.

Three women were among the 33 starters, a record for females in the field. Patrick, second at one stage, was eighth while compatriot Sarah Fisher was 18th and Venezuelan rookie Milka Duno was 31st after a crash.

"I had a fast car and it was a good day except for some bad luck at the end," Patrick said.
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