"What a year for this Target team," said Franchitti, who returned to the series after a partial 2008 season in stock cars. "It was so much fun to be a part of. I've been really lucky my whole career to have a great team. I can't thank the team enough and I can't thank Target enough.

"Scott and I raced each other the whole season and it just came down to this. I'm bloody delighted right now."

The scenario was reminiscent of 2007, when Franchitti and Dixon battled to the conclusion of the season finale with the title in the balance. Dixon's car was starved for fuel on the final lap, enabling Franchitti to charge ahead, win the race and the championship in an Andretti Green Racing car.

"Like 2007, I just had to try to save some fuel and stay on strategy," said Franchitti, who became the series' third multiple champion. "We're always trying to go a little farther (final service stop on Lap 150). The car was a bit imbalanced on the first stint and that allowed Scott and Ryan to get away a little bit. We made it a lot better the second stint and the car was really good, but by then we were fuel conservation mode. I was going as fast as I could, but they had me turn (the fuel setting) way down."

ALL THE INDY CAR NEWS, LIVE RACE ARTWORKS & FREE LINKS ARE POSTED ON THIS PAGE NOW
.....SO, STAY LINKED UP WITH INDYCAR HERE.