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Franchitti remains cool as cold tires wreck foes

Crashes and mechanical problems wipe out many of his competitors at the Iowa Corn Indy 250.

Compiled from Times wires
Published June 25, 2007

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NEWTON, Iowa - IndyCar Series leader Dario Franchitti survived a slippery track and a late charge from Andretti Green Racing teammate Marco Andretti to win the inaugural Iowa Corn Indy 250 on Sunday.

Franchitti, the Indianapolis 500 winner, stuck to the inside line on the final laps to win by 0.0681 seconds.

Eight of the top 10 in points were eliminated by crashes or mechanical trouble. On an unseasonably cool day, cold tires gave several drivers fits, which led to three accidents on the new 0.875-mile track.

"I saw that most of the contenders that were pushing me in the championship had had their problems. So we knew we couldn't do anything stupid, " Franchitti said. "We played a conservative game."

Franchitti went high up the steep banking to pass Buddy Rice on Lap 151 for the lead.

CHAMP CAR: Paul Tracy pushed to the front and held off rookie Robert Doornbos on the final lap to win his third Grand Prix of Cleveland, ending Sebastien Bourdais' three-race winning streak.

Tracy was involved in two accidents early and pitted after both so his crew could change his car's nosecone. That put him on a different pit strategy, which paid off in the end.

"I'm kind of overwhelmed, " Tracy said. "It doesn't seem like it came the right way, but I'll take what I get."

NHRA: Greg Anderson earned his 49th Pro Stock victory in Englishtown, N.J., beating Jeg Coughlin in the final. Other winners were Larry Dixon in Top Fuel, Tommy Johnson Jr. in Funny Car and Craig Treble in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

EAST BAY RACEWAY: David Schmauss earned his first Late Model win of 2007 late Saturday.

[Last modified June 25, 2007, 01:49:21]

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