I’ve never come back to a track as the previous winner and there’s a level of confidence that comes with being the defending champion, said Danica Patrick.
Robin Miller
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Posted September 17, 2009
Indianapolis, IN
Danica will have her work cut out for her if she's to repeat her 2008 win at Motegi. (LAT)
Danica Patrick’s initial victory last year came halfway around the world at midnight – not exactly prime time for media coverage. And the IndyCar series staff is hoping its 2009 champion isn’t crowned under the same circumstances.
After a season that’s seen the points lead change in 13 out of 15 races, the last thing IndyCar wants, or needs, is for the championship to be decided Friday night at Motegi, Japan.
But considering Ryan Briscoe owns a 25-point lead over Dario Franchitti and a 33-point edge over Scott Dixon, and the 27-year-old Aussie has finished either first or second 10 times this year, he could clinch or certainly gets his hands around the trophy in the land of the rising sun.
“That would be fine with me,” says Briscoe, whose photo finish victory over Dixon at Chicago last month earned him some breathing room. “It would make that 14-hour flight home a lot of fun.
“But let’s be honest. We’ve seen how quickly this thing can turn around every race so I imagine it’s going to go down to the wire. I like Japan and I hope I can clinch it there but I haven’t run real well at that track.”
None of the three competitors have ever won at Twin Ring Motegi, the beautiful facility built by Honda some 60 miles from downtown Tokyo. Dixon has a third, a fourth and a broken hand from a 2005 accident while Franchitti’s last trip netted him a third in 2007.
“I’m definitely looking forward to Motegi, it’s been a bit of a thorn in my side for some time and I can’t wait to get back there,” said Dixon, who captured last year’s Indy Racing League title to go with his 2003 crown.
“My goal is simple. Win both races and lead the most laps and see what happens. Ryan has been very strong all season so catching him won’t be easy.”
But the 29-year-old Kiwi is now the stalker instead of the stalked.
“I’m happy to be in the chase because it’s definitely been an up and down season but it’s definitely a different situation because now I’m doing the chasing,” said Dixon, whose win at Mid-Ohio in August was his 20th in IRL competition, a record for the series that started in 1996.
“It’s nice when you’re leading and things keep going your way but it’s a lot of pressure being chased. You start to see things differently in the last two races.”
Considering Team Penske and Target/Ganassi have won 14 of the 15 races in ’09 and haven’t lost on an oval since last July, the final two races at Motegi and Homestead figure to be a battle between the two dominant teams.
“Ryan has got the luxury of his teammate being out of it, so Helio (Castroneves) can help him a little bit,” said Franchitti, who owns four wins along with Dixon.
“Scott and I are still in the fight so I don’t know if we end up backing one horse. Chip (Ganassi) will make that decision but as of right now we’re both going for it.”
Ganassi may have the numbers but Penske has the leader.
“It’s just really exciting to be in this position,” said Briscoe, who was fired by Ganassi following one season in 2005. “At this point it’s the highlight of my career and I’ve just got to go out and beat those two.”
Patrick, enjoying her best season to date, ranks fifth in the point standings heading back to the track where she made history a year ago.
“I’ve never come back to a track as the previous winner and there’s a level of confidence that comes with being the defending champion,” said the 27-year-old native of Roscoe, Ill.
“I like Japan and I like that track because I guess what I want out of a race car suits Motegi. The characteristics I like in a car work well there and I’m looking forward to going back.”
Patrick, who said a month ago she was nearly re-signed with Michael Andretti’s team before jump starting the NASCAR rumors a week ago, finished third at Indianapolis last May and has been the most consistent driver in her 4-car team.
But she’d love to join Dan Wheldon as the only multiple winner at the track owned by Honda.
“Last April seems like a long time ago and I’m definitely ready to do it (win) again so hopefully we can get off to a fast start because we don’t have much practice time (one hour),” she said.
“This race always seems to come down to fuel mileage and that’s fine by me. I’m not picky, I just want another win before the season is over.”
Considering Ganassi and Penske have won all of the oval races this season and 15 of the last 17, Patrick will have her work cut out to make that happen.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEEDtv.com, SPEED, FOX, or NewsCorp.
