INDYCAR IN FLORIDA

I am still grappling with a non-functioning computer. If I could have down loaded the picture of Dario Franchitti that would have said it all. A smile from ear to ear at his win of the final race of the year for Indycar. Not to mention that he also became the champion. Since my computer isn't working well I could not watch it, but I did get to hear it a internet radio. Boy, I love the internet.

The first caution-free race in IndyCar Series history was the bane of the Team Penske driver, Ryan Briscoe, and played into the late-race strategy of Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Dario Franchitti, who claimed his second series championship by accomplishing the only thing he needed to do -- win the race.

Briscoe, the race leader who led in points with seven laps left in the 200-lap race on the 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway, had to pit for a splash of ethanol because of the blistering pace of the Firestone Indy 300 (201.420 mph average; second-fastest in series history).

Franchitti, who was 24.9643 seconds back as Briscoe's No. 6 Team Penske car hit the pit lane, moved to the front as Briscoe hit the acceleration lane. Though Briscoe was more than a mile per hour quicker on the final two laps, Franchitti went on to win by 4.7888 seconds. Dixon, the 2008 series champion and Franchitti's first-year teammate, finished third. The final points: Franchitti (616), Dixon (605), Briscoe (604).

So, on the 10th day of the 10th month, the No. 10 car won it all. It also was the 10th victory of the season for the team, split evenly between the drivers. In this fuel-mileage race, Franchitti hit all the right numbers.