Gainsco Auto Insurance Indy 300 Race Report31/03/2008

A new age of American Open Wheel racing began with Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon winning the season-opening Gainsco Insurance Indy 300 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday 30 March.   

The regular IndyCar teams dominated the first race of the “unified” season, finishing in the top 11 positions. Dixon led the race three times for a total of 67 laps, though it was Andretti Green Racing’s Tony Kanaan who appeared to be heading for victory. With only seven laps remaining Kanaan incurred damage whilst trying to avoid the spinning car of oval rookie EJ Viso, allowing Dixon to take the lead.    

Firestone Racing introduced a new left-side tyre compound for the first race of the season, whilst the 2007 right-side tyre compound was maintained.  The construction of all four tyres has changed slightly from last season, with the developments being introduced to increase grip. The new specification tyres were used at all recent Homestead-Miami Speedway testing, and they performed to expectations throughout the past few weeks and during Saturday’s race.  

Scott Dixon - #9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone, said:
“The tyres were really good. Our car was a lot better on short stints than it was on long stints, but the consistency of the tyres was really good. We did have one set that I think we messed up on tyre pressures more than anything, but the consistency of the Firestone tyres was fantastic, as usual, and we had good grip all the way through.”  

Al Speyer - Executive Director, Firestone Racing, said:
“Seeing 25 IndyCar Series machines on the track tonight was really special. Tonight’s race was a great start to a historic season, and Firestone is proud to be a part of it. This evening, we saw lots of cars, great passing, a heartbreaking upset for Tony Kanaan and another win for Target Chip Ganassi Racing at Homestead. All the while, the Firestone Firehawks delivered the performance the drivers needed. So even with all the changes, it truly is ‘business as usual’ in the IndyCar Series, and Firestone Racing is thrilled to have this season underway.”