INDYCARNATION

Race Preview

This is the 21st race at Texas. The IndyCar Series raced at Texas twice each season from 1998-2004, crowning its champion at the 1.5-mile oval from 1999-2004.

The driver who has gone on to win the championship has won at Texas only four times. Scott Dixon won at Texas in 2008, Tony Kanaan won Texas 1 in 2004, Sam Hornish Jr. won Texas 2 in 2002, clinching the title at Texas, and Hornish Jr. also won Texas 2 in 2001, celebrating the championship he had clinched at the previous race.

In 13 seasons, seven drivers have won the seventh race of the season and also won the championship. They are Franchitti (2009, Iowa) Dixon (2008, Texas and 2003, Richmond), Sam Hornish Jr. (2006, Richmond), Greg Ray (1999, Dover), Kenny Brack (1998, Charlotte) and Tony Stewart (1997, Charlotte).

Only three drivers – Arie Luyendyk (1997), Scott Dixon (2008), Helio Castroneves (’09) – have won the Indianapolis 500 and Texas 550k in the same season.