Race Recaps - 91st Running in 2007 - Dario Franchitti wins after 415 miles
Andretti Green and Dario rain over Indy.
When the race was stopped the first time for rain, 113 laps were completed. A race is required to go a minimum of 101 laps before it can be official. If rain had continued the rest of the afternoon, it could have been declared over. Andretti Green Racing was scored 1st-2nd-3rd with Tony Kanaan leading, Marco Andretti second, and Danica Patrick third. After nearly three hours, the rain stopped and the track was dry. Shortly after 6:00 p.m., the field lined up in the pits for a restart.
Tony Kanaan took over where he left off and pulled away from the field. Danica Patrick got by Marco Andretti and took over second place. Approximately 30 laps of uninterrupted intense green flag racing followed. Another sequence of green-flag pit stops saw all of the leaders head to the pits. Jaques Lazier stayed out a couple of extra laps, and led the race for the first time in his career. After the stops, Kanaan returned to the lead, followed by defending champion Sam Hornish Jr.
On the 151st lap, Marty Roth crashed in turn one, and started an exciting sequence of events. The skies were darkening, and rain was fast approaching again, which would certainly end the race for good. Under the yellow, many leaders pit for tires and fuel, while some drivers, including Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon, stayed out to gain track position. On the 156th lap, the field went back to green, however, in turn four, Tony Kanaan came up on the back of Jacques Lazier, sending Lazier into the wall, and sending Kanaan’s car into a spin. He blew a tire and coasted into the pits. Moments later, the field assembled for what was expected to be the final restart before the rains came. Franchitti, working lap 163, held the lead into the backstretch. Behind him, Marco Andretti tangled with Dan Wheldon, and Andretti’s car flipped down the backstretch. Before the track could be cleared, a heavy rainstorm fell on the track, and the race was called after 166 laps with Dario Franchitti declared the winner.
Other Notes:
2007 marked the first time that 3 women were in the race in the same year. Milka Duno-31st, Sarah Fisher-18th and Danica Patrick-8th.
Michael Andretti ran again, finishing 13th. This was his 2nd win as an owner.
