DETROIT, Mich. (Sept. 2, 2007) - Canadian Club driver Dario Franchitti finished sixth in an incident-filled Detroit Indy Grand Prix and retook the championship lead heading into the season finale.

Starting the race from second, Franchitti patiently remained behind Helio Castroneves until the first round of pit stops and took the lead by lap 27. He distanced himself from the field until his second pit stop on lap 50. After that round of pit stops, Franchitti was shown in the fifth position as three cars had chosen not to pit under the full-course caution.

With just over 20 laps remaining, the fifth full-course caution came out. Franchitti decided to take fuel only on what would be the final stop of the race. With varying pit strategies, Franchitti came out of the pits in sixth. Franchitti wasted little time putting himself back into contention for the win passing AJ Foyt IV and teammate Danica Patrick to move into fourth behind Tony Kanaan, Buddy Rice and Scott Dixon. With just one lap to go, Dixon and Rice made contact and Franchitti got caught up in the incident. Despite the contact with Dixon, Franchitti was able to continue the final lap and take the checkered flag.

Kanaan captured his fifth win of the season. Team Motorola driver Danica Patrick scored her career-best finish in second and was followed in third by Dan Wheldon.

The final race on the IndyCar Series schedule will take place Sunday, Sept. 9 at Chicagoland Speedway. Live television coverage of the PEAK Antifreeze Indy 300 will be provided by ABC at 4 p.m. (EDT). The event can be heard live on XM Satellite Radio channel 145, home of the IndyCar Series.

Dario Franchitti, #27 Canadian Club Dallara/Honda/Firestone:
“The Canadian Club car was very fast today. When we were running behind Helio (Castroneves), we were able to save fuel. We got in traffic at one point and couldn't make anything happen. It was so difficult to pass. We had to save fuel and wait for those in front of us to pit. We were running lap times three seconds faster than some of those in front of us, but couldn't pass. Then coming to the end, Buddy (Rice) ran out of fuel and Scott (Dixon) made contact with him, spun around and collected me. To my knowledge, no yellow flag had been given, so the safety guys couldn't come on the track to help me reverse and get into gear. So, I was just sitting there. It was a crazy day and anything can happen next week.”
 
John Anderson, Race Strategist, #27 Canadian Club Dallara/Honda/Firestone:
“Dario drove a great race. It got down to a real nail biter at the end of the race when it switched to a timed race. I think if it would have gone the distance, Dixon could have been critical on fuel. They had a good strategy. When we pulled the fuel out, they pulled in order to beat us out of the pit. The incident at the end was one of those where you tell the driver ‘Don't give up until you see the checkered.' And, that was exactly what happened. Thankfully we are back in the lead. Now, may the best team win."