Beyond the Flag
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IndyCar Series: Indy Racing League’s final round

By LukeBro

WATKINS GLEN, NY - JULY 7: Sam Hornish Jr. driver of the #6 Team Penske Dallara honda during practice for the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series Camping World Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix at the Watkins Glen International July 7, 2007 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
WATKINS GLEN, NY - JULY 7: Sam Hornish Jr. driver of the #6 Team Penske Dallara honda during practice for the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series Camping World Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix at the Watkins Glen International July 7, 2007 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /
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JOLIET, IL – SEPTEMBER 09: Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 Motorola Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda, races alongside Dario Franchitti, driver of the Canadian Club Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images for PEAK Antifreeze)
JOLIET, IL – SEPTEMBER 09: Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 Motorola Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda, races alongside Dario Franchitti, driver of the Canadian Club Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images for PEAK Antifreeze) /

Andretti Green Racing

2007 saw the switch of Danica Patrick from Rahal Letterman Racing to Andretti Green Racing in the #7 car. Tony Kanaan, #11, Marco Andretti, #26, and Dario Franchitti, #27, would round out the team with Michael Andretti competing in his last Indy 500 in the #39 car.

In a largely successful year that totaled nine wins with five by Tony Kanaan (Motegi, Milwaukee, Michigan, Kentucky, and Belle Isle) and four wins by Dario Franchitti (Indianapolis, Iowa, Richmond, and Chicago), Andretti was able to win not only the Indianapolis 500 as a team owner but also the championship.

Franchitti’s largely consistent year won him the championship over Scott Dixon by 13 points due to his win at Chicagoland in the season finale. Andretti’s team also compiled six poles throughout the season with Franchitti gaining four and Kanaan grabbing two.

As previously stated, Dario Franchitti would win the championship while Tony Kanaan would finish 3rd. Danica Patrick would ultimately finish 7th in the final standings with a best finish of 2nd place at Belle Isle. Andretti would finish 11th with best finishes of 2nd at Iowa and Michigan.

Franchitti would be the only driver not to return for the 2008 season, announcing he would be moving to NASCAR. Hideki Mutoh would be his replacement.

Target Chip Ganassi Racing

Chip Ganassi Racing consisted of Dan Wheldon in car #10 and Scott Dixon in car #9. Wheldon started the season off strong, achieving two wins and a 2nd place finish in the first four races (wins at Homestead and Kansas). Ultimately, his success would mostly taper off as his best remaining finish would be 3rd at Milwaukee, Richmond, and Belle Isle.

As we have seen even in recent years, Scott Dixon waited until mid-season to ramp up his success. Achieving three consecutive victories at Watkins Glen, Nashville, and Mid-Ohio, he was propelled into the championship fight.

Dixon managed to capture another win at Infineon Raceway (Sonoma) later in the season and finished the season 2nd in the championship standings. He was able to capture two poles at Iowa and Nashville.

Dan Wheldon managed to achieve pole position at the season opener of Homestead. Overall, the year was very successful for Target Chip Ganassi racing, as they achieved 2nd (Dixon) and 4th (Wheldon) in the final standings and amassed six wins.

Both drivers would return for the following season.