Congrats to the champ

After watching that all afternoon, all I can say is "wow!"

What a finish -- the championship contenders are running 1st & 2nd, and it looked to be a side-by-side move at the line, and then Dario has to pull an evasive move to pass a sputtering Dixon and win the title.

I hate that the title was decided on fuel mileage, instead of a 2002-style shootout at the line. But what drama at the end for the title.

No manufactured excitement, no points reshufflings, no contrived "Chases" or "Shootouts" or "Playoffs." One whole season comes down to the final race -- and does almost every year. And, for the third time in IRL history, it comes down to the final lap.

Congrats to Dario Franchitti -- Indy 500 winner and ICS champion.

It's unfortunate for all of us that he's likely going to be running 40 mph slower in the open-wheel retirement series next year, but we'll hopefully see the defending Indy champion back in an actual racecar again soon, although it'll be fun watching his wife get pummeled in the press the first time she calls out Jeff Gordon the way she trashed Milka Duno in this postrace.
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Also notable today: Hideki Mutoh got more racy as the day went on and finished eighth in his debut. RHR managed to finish 7th and clinch Rookie of the Year honors despite running only a half-season. Buddy Rice finishes 9th both today and in the final standings -- a nice job for the D&R team.

And, where the heck was Brian Barnhart or anyone to present the trophy? Jack Arute's semi-forced, spontaneous, half-hearted "presentation" for TV seemed really, really third-rate.

Race results
Chicago Lap Chart
Final points standings