Champ Cars

Bourdais Wins Sixth Champ Car Race
Sebastien Bourdais proved once again why he is the driver to beat in the Champ Car World Series, earning nearly every point by grabbing the pole position on Saturday, setting the fastest race lap and winning by more than 13 seconds. With the weekend Bourdais extended his points lead to 53 markers over Dutch driver Robert Doornbos. Finishing second was Bruno Junqueira, who scored the best ever finish in Dale Coyne’s 24 years as a team owner. Though the Brazilian started fourth, it wasn’t an average Sunday drive. Junqueira lost one position at the start when the entire field came to pit road on lap 17, a fueling problem saw him exit pit lane in 15th place.

Mired in the back of the field, Junqueira and the Coyne Racing crew came back onto pit lane under the next yellow just ten laps later. The alternate strategy saw Bruno move up to second in the order as the other drivers had to dive onto pit lane for service under green flag conditions. Junqueira made his final stop on lap 48 also under green flag conditions and dropped back to tenth. When a full-course caution slowed the race again, the majority of the field used the opportunity to come to pit road for a final splash of fuel to reach the end of the race. While they came to pit lane, Junqueira stayed out and moved back up to the fourth position. Bruno worked hard to conserve fuel and make it to the checkered flag.

Junqueira Made it to second place and held on to that spot with Graham Rahal coming home in third. Will Power finished fourth followed by Justin Wilson, Oriol Servia, Robert Doornbos, Neel Jani, Alex Tagliani and Paul Tracy to round out the top ten.
For full results... (Speed News Now)

Champ Cars

Sebastien Bourdais On Belgium Pole
For the fourth time this season, Sebastien Bourdais will lead the field at the start, as the French driver drove to his 30th career pole position at the Zolder Circuit in Belgium. Bourdais lapped the 2.492-mile circuit in 1 minute 12.821 seconds setting the track record at the historic race track. The three-time champion is looking to become the first driver to win four consecutive Champ Car titles, and after earning one championship point for today’s pole position, Bourdais now leads the race for the Vanderbilt Cup by 38 points over third place qualifier Robert Doornbos.

After not being able to run in yesterday’s qualifying because of mechanical issues, Doornbos showed the speed that has put him at the top of the rookie-of-the-year standings to earn the third spot on the grid. Though his time was faster than Team Australia’s Will Power, the Aussie driver will start second after setting the fastest time in Friday’s qualifying session. Tomorrow will mark the fourth time Bourdais and Power have shared the front row. Bruno Junqueira starts fourth followed by Justin Wilson, Alex Tagliani, Paul Tracy, Simon Pagenaud, Neel Jani and Oriol Servia.
For Starting Lineup... (Speed News Now)

IRL

Franchitti-Patrick On Front Row at Infineon
IndyCar Series point leader Dario Franchitti earned his second AAMCO Transmissions Pole Award of the season, earning the top spot for the Motorola Indy 300 presented by Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel at Infineon Raceway. Franchitti recorded a lap of 1 minute, 16.7017 seconds (107.951 mph) on the 2.26-mile, 12-turn circuit in single-car qualifying. No one could top it in the Firestone Fast Six, though teammate Danica Patrick came closest.

Driving the No. 7 Motorola car, Patrick improved four positions with a lap of 1:17.1486 (107.325) to match her career-best starting spot on a road/street course. She was the only driver to improve their time from single-car qualifying. Tony Kanaan will start third in the No. 11 Team 7-Eleven car. Helio Castroneves, who topped each of the practice sessions in the No. 3 Team Penske car, will start fourth. Scott Dixon, driving the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car, and Sam Hornish Jr. in the No. 6 Team Penske car will share Row 3.
For Starting Lineup... (Speed News Now)

Champ Cars

Dan Clarke Suspended ~ May Be Fined
Following an incident in this morning’s practice session, Dan Clarke has been barred from participating in this weekend’s Champ Car Grand Prix of Belgium. Champ Car Race Director Tony Cotman will make a decision one week from today as to Clarke’s status for the Bavaria Beer Champ Car Grand Prix of Holland Presented by Audi, Hertz, Gent and Pioneer.

“This morning’s incident was totally unacceptable and completely avoidable,” said Cotman. “Dan was already on probation after previous incidents in San Jose which helped lead me to my decision today. After the weekend is complete and I have a time to review the incident without the raw emotion of the moment, I will make a decision as to any further penalties against Clarke.”

‘Speedy’ Dan Clarke is coming off of his career best Champ Car result, finishing second at Road America in the last event. Clarke has made 24 starts in his Champ Car career, finishing on the podium twice and earning one career pole position.

And a statement from Dan Clarke...“I’m sorry that today’s incident happened, but I fully accept Tony Cotman’s decision. It’s part of the learning process, but I want to apologise to the fans, the other drivers involved, and particularly to my team. I am determined to take the positives out of this, however, and to focus on doing the best possible job in the remaining four races of this year, as well as build on what I’ve learned this season with Minardi Team USA in 2008. I genuinely hope the other drivers involved in this morning’s incident go on to have a positive weekend here in Zolder.”