Stars aligned in open-wheel world

From Danica to Dario to the new title sponsor for the IndyCar Series, the world of open-wheel racing has a lot to be thankful for in 2009 ... and beyond.

Power to run full-time for Penske in 2010

Fresh off the announcement of a new title sponsor, the IZOD IndyCar Series got another boost Thursday when Penske Racing revealed plans to run a third full-time entry in 2010 for Australian driver Will Power.

What's the point(s)? Just another IRL cliffhanger

...season. Dario Franchitti edged his Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon, with Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe right in the mix as well. At about this time a year ago, I wrote a...

FT. WORTH , TX - JUNE 05: Ryan Briscoe drives his #6 Team Penske Dallara Honda during qualifying for the IRL IndyCar Series Bombardier Learjet...

Franchitti deserved No. 1 ranking, too

...including the final ranking for the 2009 season. Dario Franchitti was No. 1 on four occasions, Ryan Briscoe twice, and Helio Castroneves once. After midseason, Castroneves was firmly planted at No. 4, while Briscoe...

From left, IRL drivers Scott Dixon, of New Zealand, Dario Franchitti, of Scotland, and Ryan Briscoe, of Australia, celebrate after finishing the racing season at the Homestead-Miami International Speedway in Homestead...

2009 Power Rankings: Final

After each race of the IndyCar Series season, ESPN.com open-wheel correspondent John Oreovicz ranked the top 10 drivers in the series. Don't agre...

Franchitti plays Miami hand perfectly

Dario Franchitti made an alternate pit strategy pay off perfectly at Homestead, winning the race and the IndyCar Series title. Is an encore on tap for 2010? Stay tuned.

Franchitti caps return with another title

Dario Franchitti's return to IndyCar racing couldn't have gone better. He's the IRL champion once again.

Franchitti gains point on leader Dixon

Scott Dixon enters as the leader, four points ahead of teammate Dario Franchitti -- who gained a point by winning the pole in Friday qualifying -- and eight ahead of Briscoe.

Dixon on verge of tying IndyCar's top title mark

...lead over his Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dario Franchitti, and eight points in hand over Ryan Briscoe of Team Penske. But at the same time, the math is pretty simple: If Dixon finishes...

INDIANAPOLIS - MAY 09: Ryan Briscoe (L) driver of the #6 Team Penske Dallara Honda, team owner Roger Penske and Helio Castroneves...

JOLIET, IL- AUGUST 29: Ryan Briscoe, driver of the #6 Team Penske Honda Dallara, drives in front of Scott Dixon, driver of...

Briscoe ready to get it on at Homestead

...t give out a "Most Improved Driver" award in the IndyCar Series, but if they did, Ryan Briscoe would likely win it for the second year in a row. Not that the Australian, who...

Hands down, 2009 one of Dario's best

...heading into the season-ending Firestone Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe just three points behind Franchitti. The 2007 championship was a two-man battle between Dixon and...