Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance

Points shake up heads to Mid-OhioFor the 11th time in 12 races this season, the top spot in the championship point standings has switched hands. Ryan Briscoe currently leads Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti by eight and 11 points, respectively. Last year, Briscoe’s victory at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course was his first on a road course in the IndyCar Series. He started second and led Team Penske teammate Helio Castroneves across the finish line. Can Briscoe extend his championship lead with another strong showing on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn course?Overtake assist debuts on a road course

The Honda overtake assist option will be introduced on a road course at Mid-Ohio. The system, engaged by the driver pressing a button on the steering wheel, provides an extra 200 RPM (for a total of 10,500) and a 5-20 horsepower gain dependent upon fuel setting for a duration calibrated on a race-to-race basis by Honda Performance Development. How will the overtake assist potentially affect the outcome of the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio?

Alternate tires challenge strategy at Mid-OhioFirestone tires will again play a role in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. Last year, rain tires were employed early on after a morning thunderstorm and drivers/teams quickly had to gauge when to switch to slicks based on track position. This year, the Firestone alternate tires, which provide additional grip but wear more quickly, will be used for the first time at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course during the three rounds of qualifications and the race.

Final two road course races of the championship

Back-to-back races on road courses of similar length and elevation changes await IndyCar Series drivers as the championship chase heads toward another exciting conclusion. Last year, Helio Castroneves used a runner-up finish at Mid-Ohio and a victory at Infineon Raceway to significantly close the gap on points leader Scott Dixon. How will these events impact the championship that closes with three events on 1.5-mile ovals?

Rookie of the Year battle moves to Mid-OhioLost in the excitement of this year’s closely contested championship standings is the intense battle for IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year honors. Robert Doornbos currently leads Raphael Matos by one point. While this will be Matos’ first IndyCar Series start at Mid-Ohio, he won last year’s Firestone Indy Lights race at the track. Doornbos will be making his first visit to the historic road course. How will experience at the track factor into the race for the Rookie of the Year title?

Race Notes:The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio will be the third IndyCar Series event conducted at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Previous race winners entered are: Ryan Briscoe (2008) and Scott Dixon (2007).Helio Castroneves has won the pole at Mid-Ohio for both IndyCar Series events at the track (2008, ‘07).At least 16 drivers entered in the event have competed in previous IndyCar Series races at Mid-Ohio. Seven of those drivers have led laps: Ryan Briscoe (43), Helio Castroneves (42), Scott Dixon (29), Tony Kanaan (13), Justin Wilson (11), Dario Franchitti (6) and Mario Moraes (1).

At least four drivers will make their first IndyCar Series start at Mid-Ohio:

Richard Antinucci, Mike Conway, Robert Doornbos and Raphael Matos.Season-to-Date: Twenty-five drivers have recorded top-10 finishes. Fifteeen drivers have recorded top-five finishes. The top 10 drivers in points come from six teams. Thirteen different drivers have podium finishes this season. Ryan Briscoe’s win at Kentucky was the 11th closest finish in IndyCar Series history (.0162 of a second MOV). Scott Dixon’s seventh place finish at Kentucky ended his streak of seven consecutive top-five finishes. Ed Carpenter earned a career-best finish of second at Kentucky. Will Power earns his first IndyCar Series victory at Edmonton. His previous-best finish was second at Long Beach earlier this season. Dario Franchitti earned his 11th career IndyCar Series victory and Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s 30th IndyCar Series victory in the race at Toronto. Ryan Briscoe has finished second in five of the last seven races, including Toronto. Ryan Hunter-Reay finished seventh at Toronto, his best finish since joining A.J. Foyt Racing at Iowa. Justin Wilson gave Dale Coyne Racing its first career open wheel winat Watkins Glen. It was the first victory for a team other than Team Penske and Target Chip Ganassi Racing since Wilson won Aug. 31, 2008 at Belle Isle in a Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing car, ending the streak of 10 points races and one non-points race. Dario Franchitti finished 15th at Watkins Glen, just his second finish outside the top 10 this season. He finished 18th at Kansas. Scott Dixon’s win at Richmond gives him two or more victories in three consecutive seasons. Ryan Briscoe earned his third career victory and Team Penske’s 30th IndyCar Series victory in the season opener at St. Petersburg. With his pole at St. Petersburg this season, Graham Rahal became the youngest polesitter in IndyCar Series history at the age of 20 years, 90 days.

Milestones & Records:

Tony Kanaan will attempt to make his 110th consecutive start, the active leader among IndyCar Series drivers. Scott Dixon has 27 consecutive top-10 starts. Ryan Briscoe’s 11th place start at Toronto ended his series of 17 consecutive top-10 starts. Sam Hornish Jr. holds the record with 32. Scott Dixon has tied Sam Hornish Jr. for most career victories at 19. Andretti Green Racing’s next victory will be its 35th. The team ranks first in the IndyCar Series. A victory in 2009 will give Tony Kanaan a victory in seven consecutive seasons, becoming the fourth driver to do so. Helio Castroneves has 72 career top-five finishes, the most in IndyCar Series history. Helio Castroneves has 96 top-10 finishes, the most in IndyCar Series history. Helio Castroneves has led 77 races, the most in IndyCar Series history. Helio Castroneves has at least one race victory in each of the last nine seasons, an IndyCar Series record. Helio Castroneves has at least one victory from the pole in each of the last eight seasons, an IndyCar Series record. His eight career wins from the pole is also a record. Helio Castroneves has 27 career poles, the most in IndyCar Series history. Helio Castroneves ranks second all-time with 107 races running at the finish. Scott Sharp holds the record with 111. Helio Castroneves ranks second all-time with 3,206 laps led. Sam Hornish Jr. holds the record with 3,428.

At-Track Schedule (all times local):Friday, Aug. 73:15-4:45 p.m. – IndyCar Series practiceSaturday, Aug. 89:30-10:30 a.m. – IndyCar Series practice12:30-2 p.m. – PEAK Performance Pole QualifyingSunday, Aug. 88:45-9:15 a.m. – IndyCar Series practice1 p.m. – IndyCar Series pre-race1:45 p.m. – Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (85 laps / 191.93miles