Franchitti wins IRL finale
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Published 17/10/2005 at 15:39 GMT
Scotland's Dario Franchitti took an emotional victory in the season-ending Indycar race at California Speedway on Sunday, beating AGR team-mate to the line by just 0.1117 secs. The victory was particularly touching for Franchitti as it was here that his close friend Greg Moore lost his life in 1999.
Upon taking the chequered flag for a thrilling victory in the 2005 IRL finale, Franchitti stopped at turn two to conduct a series of victory donuts to honour his second win of the season and the passing of his friend.
“A bittersweet win here because I lost a good friend here six years ago,” Franchitti said. “You go through the gates. He's never far from my mind any time really, but when we're here especially. It was nice to win here today, but it will never bring him back. And.
“It was just nice to go out and win that last race at this track and fight it out with Tony, who was another one of Greg's best friends.”
Kanaan had to settle for his fifth consecutive top five finish despite seemingly have the win in sight thanks to a greater momentum going towards the line, but suddenly, the Brazilian lost drive and fell back to second.
"I really don't know what happened," Kanaan said, playing down talk that he let his team-mate win. "Either I missed a shift or I pressed the wrong button. They reckon I pressed the pitlane speed limit instead of the overtake. I'm not very happy about that.
"My teammate, Dario, won the race, so it's not that bad," he added. "I finished second in the championship. It's not bad either."
Franchitti believes, however, that his friend lifted: "He hasn't really told me much but it looked like he lifted. I think he's entirely capable of doing it. And I have to say, I would do the same for him. That's the relationship we have, and have had for a long time."
The result consolidated Kanaan's second place in the championship ahead of Sam Hornish Jr with Franchitti fourth, while champion Dan Wheldon had to settle for sixth position in the final race of the season despite leading seven laps.
"It was kind of difficult for me today," he said. "I had as much understeer as I've ever had in a race car to start the race.
"The year has been good. It would have been nice to end on a high note, but still I'm happy for Dario to win. He's had some bad luck."
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement