This left the track in a what drivers call a "green" condition, where traction is greatly reduced until a fresh layer can be redeposited. The slick surface caught a number of drivers out in the early going, including EJ Viso, Robert Doornbos, Justin Wilson & Raphael Matos: Ryan Hunter-Reay and Mario Moraes were also caught up in carnage through no fault of their own.

By the time that the track had "rubbered in" & things had settled down, the race began shapping up as a duel between Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe and Ganassi Racing's Dario Franchitti, whose car was liveried a bright green this weekend, the colors of portable GPS system TomTom (normally just a secondary sponsor to the traditional Target Stores, with their red livery). After a round of pit stops put Dario back at the point on lap 200, the Scot never looked back, taking his second win in three appearances at Iowa. Briscoe would finish in second place, with only two other drivers - Hideki Mutoh and Dan Wheldon - finishing on the leader's lap.

Franchitti said afterwards that he didn't start the day with the best car, but that his crew kept working on it as the race unfolded. "(The car) was at it's best on Lap 250. Timing is everything." 

A special "tip of the hat" goes out to the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing squad, who had their best day - by far - so far this year. After starting 16th, Tomas Scheckter tore through the field in early going, "green" track be darned. He was soon challenging for the second spot, & would finish the day in 6th. Meanwhile rookie Mike Conway, who's season to date has been rough to say the least, posted a 9th place finish after hanging in the top ten for most of the day.

Here are the complete results from Sunday's race:

http://www.indycar.com/stats/boxscores/2009/iowa_06212009.pdf

The next event will be the Sun Trust Indy Challenge, at the 3/4 mile Richmond International Raceway oval, this Saturday evening at 8pm ET/ midnight Sunday GMT.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon