Four different winners from as many IndyCar Series races, and four drivers within 15 points of first place in the championship standings is the scenario as the series heads into four weeks of preparation for the Indianapolis 500.
Dan Wheldon, who became the first repeat winner in eight races at Kansas Speedway in Sunday's Road Runner Turbo Indy 300, will be among the favourites for 500 for the fourth year in a row. Edging Tony Kanaan by 2.1778secs provided the Ganassi man with a welcome boost heading into the blue riband event, and sets him up for another run at the Borg Warner Trophy.
In 2005, Wheldon glided to the chequers in the preceding race at Twin Ring Motegi before going on to Victory Circle at the Brickyard. In 2006, he finished second at the egg-shaped Japanese oval before qualifying on the front row and finishing fourth at Indianapolis. Last year, victory at the 1.5-mile Kansas oval set the scene for another shot, but, despite qualifying sixth, he finished only 22nd after an accident.
"I think the win is good, but the biggest thing that you notice about this year is you pick up the wins when you can, but you can't have races out of the top five because the points are just that close," said Wheldon, who has finished third, fourth and first on the ovals this season, "So it's important to score wins. I think this will help going into the month of May, but I don't think it means too much because it's just going to be tight there."
If Wheldon wants to fly under the radar, team-mate Scott Dixon will be more evident at the 2.5-mile Speedway, the 2003 IndyCar Series champion having gone first, third and third on the ovals in 2008 to trail championship leader Helio Castroneves by six points.
"I was looking at [Dixon's] results, and I think they've been in the top four every single [practice] session the whole year," Kanaan said. "Scott's been very strong, but he has shown that, sometimes, other things have let him down. I think Scott is one of the favourites, for sure."
