The Vancouver installment of the CART auto racing series has seen Scotsman Dario Franchitti get the checkered flag. The drivers are hoping good attendance will help save the series for next year.
Twenty-nine-year-old Dario Franchitti topped the podium Sunday with veteran Canadian racer Paul Tracey coming in second. Brazilian driver Tony Kanaan took third. The results gave a first and second place finish to a racing franchise very much in the news this week.
Driver Michael Andretti announced earlier that he is taking over the Green racing team from current owner Barry Green. Andretti did not confirm rumors that he would leave the CART series for the rival Indy Racing League next season.
Such a move would add to the list of high-profile departures from CART that supporters fear could end the series.
Alluding to strong attendance at CART races, Franchitti said talk of ending the series does not make sense. "Certainly," he said, "being here this weekend, anybody that has negative thoughts about CART after being here should go visit a doctor I think.
Despite two collisions, Andretti finished as the top American in sixth place.
The race ended in dash to the finish after a crash that involved drivers Adrian Fernandez and Alex Tagliani. Twelve of the 18 cars failed to finish the race.