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.

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

...until the final lap of the 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...

Franchitti deserved No. 1 ranking, too

...year. We started the practice in the lead-up to the Indianapolis 500, and since then, Scott Dixon has topped the charts five times, including the final ranking for the 2009 season. Dario Franchitti...

From left, IRL drivers Scott Dixon, of New Zealand, Dario Franchitti, of Scotland, and Ryan Briscoe, of Australia, celebrate after finishing the...

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

...Fla. -- Danica Patrick leads the IndyCar Series in terms of column inches and television time. But Scott Dixon tops the charts in all the important statistics that matter to racers. Like laps led, races...

INDIANAPOLIS - MAY 07: Scott Dixon driver of the #9 Target Chip Ganasssi Racing Dallara Honda hangs out on pit lane during...

Scott Dixon of New Zealand, right, along with runner-up and teammate Dario Franchitti of Scotland, partly seen...

...AUGUST 29: Ryan Briscoe, driver of the #6 Team Penske Honda Dallara, drives in front of Scott Dixon, driver of the #9 Target Ganassi Honda Dallara, for the fourth closest finish in history during...

Briscoe ready to get it on at Homestead

...at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and he's third in the championship, just eight points behind leader Scott Dixon. More importantly, he's added consistency to his repertoire, with a string of second-place finishes...

Hands down, 2009 one of Dario's best

...he has matched that victory tally to date in 2009. He's five points behind teammate Scott Dixon heading into the season-ending Firestone Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with Team Penske's...

Helio could hold key to Briscoe's title chances

...Saturday in the Firestone Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. With eight points separating championship leader Scott Dixon and third-placed Briscoe -- and a 10-point difference between finishing first and second in the...