As the field gets ready for the Honda Indy Toronto, here are sportsnet.ca's five drivers who should be in contention to take the checkered flags on Sunday.
James Hinchcliffe The hometown hero is the obvious favourite to win. Although Hinchcliffe hasn't won an IndyCar race yet, wouldn't it be something if he claimed his first victory in Toronto? He's come close to winning a few times and it's only a matter of time before he steps up to the top of the podium. Toronto could be it.
FAST FACT: Hinchcliffe is in his second season in IndyCar and who famously won the Toronto race 1993 during his sophomore year? That would be fellow Toronto native Paul Tracy.
Dario Franchitti Although he sits eighth in the points, it's hard to count out the three-time Toronto race winner. There's just something about the racing environment north of the border that brings out the best in the Scotsman.
FAST FACT: Since Toronto was added to the IndyCar Series schedule in 2009, Franchitti has been victorious in two of the three races -- 2009 and 2011.
Will Power Power is the king of the road/temporary street course circuits, and won three straight races earlier this season at Alabama, Long Beach and Sao Paolo. He currently sits first overall in the points standings and the odds certainly favour the Australian.
FAST FACT: Power has won in Toronto twice. The first time came in 2007, the last year the race was held under the Champ Car banner, for Team Australia, and his second victory came three years later in 2010 as a member of Team Penske.
Scott Dixon Franchitti's Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate could just as easily take this race as he sees fit. In five Toronto races, Dixon has finished in the top-five four times. The lone blip on the radar was in 2010 when he was knocked out of the race with 12 laps remaining.
FAST FACT: While Franchitti won the race last year, Dixon told sportsnet.ca on Friday that he felt it should've been his. "Last year we definitely had the car to beat but strategy-wise we messed up but I'm looking forward to this weekend," he said.
Justin Wilson Wilson could be considered a dark horse pick but on a second look he's not. Wilson, who won the Toronto race in 2005, has found success in Toronto no matter what team he's been driving for. His consistency could see him be rewarded once again.
FAST FACT: Wilson's one race win this year actually came on the oval track in Texas. Still, he's a threat on the street races and was fourth after Friday's combined practice.
Honourable Mention: Marco Andretti Pedigree is a powerful x-factor in sports. Marco's father Michael Andretti won a record seven times in Toronto. Last year, Marco was just off the podium with a fourth place finish. He could find himself in the top three this time around.
Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99
Babe Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonth.html
Hunk Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonthman.html
No comments:
Post a Comment