Dixon 14th, Franchitti 23rd in the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500

SPEEDWAY, Ind. – Target Chip Ganassi Racing (TCGR) drivers Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti finished 14th and 23rd, respectively in Round 5 of the IZOD IndyCar Series at the Indianapolis 500 from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Dario Franchitti, Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda

Photo by: Jay Alley

The 2013 edition of the Indianapolis 500 had a record 68 lead changes, doubling the record of 34 set in 2012. At a race pace of 187.433 mph, it marked the fastest running of the 500-mile race in history.

Dixon started the race on the inside of the sixth row after qualifying the No. 9 Target Honda 16th on the 2.5-mile oval track. By lap 20 of 200, Dixon was able to work his way up to 12th. On lap 32, the No. 9 car pit for the first time after being able to stay out longer than the leaders.

On a lap 44 restart, Dixon jumped from 17th to 13th. On lap 92, the No. 9 team pit for a front wing adjustment. With 55 laps to go Dixon struggled with understeer and balance while in 12th position. In the final stages of the race the No. 9 car experienced a shifting issue with the left paddle shifter on the steering wheel, relegating the team to a 14-place result.

Franchitti started the race in the middle of the sixth row after qualifying the No. 10 Target Honda 17th. On lap 11 of 200, the No. 10 car was able to make some ground and drove up to 11th. On lap 22, Franchitti reported picking up understeer and waited until lap 32 to pit for the first time.

On a lap 44 restart the No. 10 car jumped from 16th to 12th. On lap 52, Franchitti reported that the car had mid-corner understeer and waited for the tires to come in. On a lap 57 caution, the No. 10 car pit from 18th and on the lap 62 restart was able to pass up to 17th. Halfway through the fuel run Franchitti pitted from 17th for a third time on lap 93 to make a front wing adjustment.

With 55 laps to go the No. 10 car still struggled with understeer and balance in 18th. With 27 laps to go Franchitti worked his way up to ninth, but with five laps to go under a caution, the No. 10 car had contact with the wall to finish 23rd.

With the results, Dixon is now in eighth in the championship standings (-46) behind leader Marco Andretti, while Franchitti is 17th (-87).

Honda is second in the manufacturer point standings with 33 points, trailing Chevrolet with 42.

Up next for Team Target is Round 6 of the IZOD IndyCar Series with the Chevrolet Indy Dual in Detroit from Belle Isle, Michigan on Saturday, June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd (Each: 3:30pm ET ABC).