IndyCar Series: ABC Supply Company A.J. Foyt 225

Topics:  ABC Supply Company A.J. Foyt 225

Dario Franchitti
June 3, 2007

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

THE MODERATOR: Tell us about your day, Dario.
DARIO FRANCHITTI: We had a bit too much understeer at the start with the Canadian Club car. We fought that. We expected a slower-paced race, more stop and start, more heavy traffic. Subsequently, when we did get in those positions, restarts and heavy traffic, the cars got backed up, my car was very good.
The downside was, it wasn't quite quick enough on its own and we fought the understeer. But we just tried to improve it all day each and every stop.
The car by the end there wasn't bad. You know, just made up the places I could. As I say, I passed Dan. I think the craziest part of the race was seeing Hornish's rear wing start to fall off. I got on the radio, I said I think his rear wing is falling off there. Then he came in the pits, came back out right in front.
But it's been a hell of a week, and to finish second to Tony I think really was a great end to the day. He drove a fantastic race to come back from where he did. I'm really proud for the team to get a 1-2 today. Typical, exciting, crazy Milwaukee Mile race.
THE MODERATOR: Unofficially you are now the points leader by three points over Dan Wheldon. After your week that you mentioned, it's been pretty crazy, can you breathe here for a moment now?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: I'll breathe on Tuesday. Got to go to New York tonight to do some stuff there.
But to get the points lead is good. I knew that pass meant a lot when I was passing Dan there. I kind of worked out in my head he was obviously way up there, Dixon was still behind me, it was going to be close. Just pushed for every place we could today.
It's such a good place to race here. It's so much fun to go around this track and race, and today proved no different.
THE MODERATOR: You seem a little frustrated. Are you frustrated, a little tired?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: I'm a little tired. I'm not frustrated. I think we got the most out of our car that we could today. Our team, I think we all did a great job, as I say. And if I'm going to finish second, who better to finish second to than Tony. And I really do think he deserved it today.
THE MODERATOR: We'll open it up to questions.

Q. Danica and Wheldon made contact. What did you see in that incident?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: I got held up behind Dan. Got a slight run on him. But Danica got around both of us and passed us both. I then pulled down the inside. I think she got maybe held up slightly trying to pass Dan. As Brian Barnhart says, the third man in should be the first man out, so I started to back out of it. I was trying to get out of situation at that point. Then I started to see Danica spin across the front of me. I was looking at Danica and the inside curb, not at what was going on between her and Dan, so I really have no idea.

Q. Were you surprised to see the same component fail on both Penske cars? Do you think that's where they're looking for an advantage?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: Definitely unusual, isn't it? When was the last time you saw a rear wing fail? I had no idea that Helio's had failed, and I thought Sam's was due to him brushing the wall in two. I guess when they both failed, I don't know. Maybe ask Tim Cindric that question. I don't know (laughter).

Q. Last week you won the biggest race in the world. Are you rejuvenated?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: I've been rejuvenated all year. That's why I came back this year. Towards the end of last season I was getting so much motivation by being frustrated and the season that we had. I came back this year, from the first race, the first test, ready to do the job.
The cars this year I think have helped because the cars have been faster. Do I think I did a different job last year? No. But I think we've had better luck and I think we have had a lot faster cars so I think that's the difference you're seeing.

Q. What made the difference in this race? You kept moving steadily forward all day.
DARIO FRANCHITTI: I think the difference, our car, we were working on it, it was getting better and better. And the longer runs the car was towards the end, people were going loose and our car was at its best. Unfortunately we did lose a couple of spots in the pits, probably because of making those adjustments to improve the car.
But I just think every time a restart was there, we could attack a bit more. The car was best either at the end of a run or on the restart. We just took advantage of everything we could today.

Q. On the cool-down lap, you pulled up beside your teammate Tony Kanaan. What did you say to him?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: As much as I could do with a head restraint. I just applauded him because I think he did a hell of a job, really a first-class job today.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Dario.