By Jana Strange
indy500.com
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
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Dario Franchitti's first victory of the 2007 season also was his biggest and most important triumph en route to claiming the 2007 IndyCar Series championship.
Winning the Indianapolis 500 was the starting point for Franchitti's push toward the title in the No. 27 Canadian Club Dallara/Honda/Firestone. The momentum gained from that victory in "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" helped Franchitti win three more races and edge Scott Dixon for the title by just 13 points.
"We'd won the race (at Indianapolis) and, for me, that was the big one of the year," Franchitti said. "I wanted to win the '500' more than the championship. So, to get that done, it kind of relaxed everybody and we got on with (the season) and just enjoyed it."
While winning the "500" was a big goal on Franchitti's career wish list, he also had his eyes on the series title. Achieving both goals in the same season was a proud accomplishment for Franchitti.
"To be able to experience both of those feelings, what can I say?" Franchitti said. "To be able to experience one is privilege enough, but to be able to experience both of them, and in one year, is cool.
"The '500' is that month-long battle, but the championship is a year-long thing and you've got to be good everywhere, including the '500.'"
After winning at Indianapolis, Franchitti claimed victories at Iowa Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and Chicagoland Speedway. He placed in the top five six other times after the Indianapolis 500.
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