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Filed under: Jimmie Johnson, Juan Pablo Montoya, Daytona Int'l Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The autograph line wound from the garage to Daytona International Speedway's famous victory lane, at least a full football field away.

One man took a vacation day from his job to drive three hours from Valdosta, Ga., to wait six more hours in line just to get NASCAR champ Jimmie Johnson to sign a photo and a shirt. A family waited nearly as long to have former Indy 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya sign 10 miniature replicas of the No. 42 Chevy he drives in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

"This is one of the cheapest races we can go to,'' said Fernando Zapata, 42, who brings his wife and two young children to the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona sports car race every year.

To see their favorite NASCAR drivers.

It's enough to make sports car purists cringe, but for the Grand-Am Series - NASCAR's sports car sibling - it doesn't matter why fans are coming through the gates or watching on television. As long as they're paying attention.

 

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by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: IRL

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) -- Dario Franchitti's return to IndyCar racing couldn't have gone better. He's the IRL champion once again.

Franchitti successfully emerged from one of the closest points races in series history Saturday, winning the season-ending Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the first caution-free IRL race ever.

The 2007 champion -- who skipped 2008 to explore NASCAR -- held off Target Chip Ganassi teammate Scott Dixon and Penske Racing's Ryan Briscoe.

So on the 10th day of the 10th month of the year, Franchitti's No. 10 car reigned supreme over the IRL.

"I can't believe it," Franchitti said. "It all worked out."

Franchitti Makes Triumphant Return, Captures IndyCar Title Again originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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by Holly Cain

Filed under: IRL

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Ryan Briscoe moves about his adopted hometown of Mooresville, N.C., untouched by the fame and glory you'd expect to accompany a young, dynamic race car driver in the midst of an exciting three-man title fight for a major sports championship.

"No one knows me there,'' the Australian demurred with a smile Thursday, minutes after posing next to the IndyCar Series trophy he's trying to earn in Saturday night's Indy 300 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

"That's not true,'' his fiancee reminded him, "Remember the girl at Starbucks?"

Time to Give IndyCar Racing Its Due originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: Penske Racing, IRL

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Helio Castroneves keeps smiling-and climbing.

Castroneves, who last month won the Indianapolis 500 for the third time after being acquitted of federal tax evasion charges, became a three-time winner at Texas Motor Speedway when he beat Penske teammate Ryan Briscoe off pit row after the final stop and stayed in front Saturday night.

Castroneves Beats Teammate at Texas originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 07 Jun 2009 09:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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