Carpenter wins at Kentucky; Franchitti retakes points lead

SPARTA, Ky. -- It's that time of the season, when the focus is on Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti and Will Power -- the guys running for the IndyCar championship.

It means the also-rans get overlooked, even when they've proven they can be a player.

Ed Carpenter did just that Sunday at Kentucky Speedway.

Carpenter scored his first IndyCar victory by beating Dario Franchitti in a wheel-to-wheel battle to the checkered flag in the closest finish in track history. The margin of victory of .0098 seconds was also the sixth-closest in IndyCar history.

Even though he had finished second here the previous two years, there was no buzz about Carpenter before the race began.

"I've always known that I've belonged, but until you win one, there are always going to be people who think different," said Carpenter.

All was not lost for Franchitti, who reclaimed the series points lead after Will Power's terrible day.

Power started from the pole and led the first 48 laps, but a collision on pit road with Ana Beatriz during the first round of stops caused considerable damage to his Penske Racing entry. Unable to fix it enough to be competitive, Power finished 19th.

He started the day with a 12-point lead over Franchitti, but Franchitti now goes to the Oct. 16 finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway up 18 points.

"It can change in a second, so we'll just go (to Las Vegas) with an open mind and see what comes of it," Franchitti said.

Scott Dixon finished third and conceded his title chances. Danica Patrick was 10th.

n NHRA -- At Mohnton, Pa., rain forced postponement until today of the final eliminations in the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

In Top Fuel, the Al-Anabi Racing duo of Del Worsham and Larry Dixon were still in contention for the victory. Spencer Massey and David Grubnic also advanced.

Funny Car pilot Johnny Gray made it through the two opening rounds, along with Robert Hight, Jeff Arend and Bob Tasca III.