Dario Franchitti a winner again on Toronto's streets

TORONTO - Dario Franchitti had nearly forgotten what it was like to win on the streets of Toronto. After a decade, he refreshed his memory.

Franchitti won the Honda Indy on Sunday over the tricky street course at Exhibition Place, easily holding off Penske drivers Ryan Briscoe and Will Power on a late restart for his third triumph of the IndyCar Series season.

"It's 10 years since my first one here and it feels good," said Franchitti, who won a Champ Car race in 1999. "I guess we timed it right with strategy."

It was the first race in Toronto for the series. Starting from the pole, Franchitti was both lucky and good in regaining the series lead by 2 points over Target Chip Ganassi teammate Scott Dixon.

Franchitti is seeking his second series championship in three years after racing last season in NASCAR's Sprint Cup series. Penske and Ganassi drivers have won 16 of 18 races dating to last season.

"I spent a lot of years chasing the Target cars here and finishing behind," Franchitti said. "I have to thank Chip. He gave me the opportunity to come back here."

Dixon was fourth, followed by Justin Wilson of Dale Coyne Racing, who won a week ago at Watkins Glen, and Danica Patrick.

Canadian drivers Paul Tracy and Alex Tagliani, seeking full-time rides, acquitted themselves well before late accidents spoiled their days. Tracy collided with Helio Castroneves with 20 laps remaining in the 85-lap race and both cars, running in the top three at the time, had to retire.

Tagliani, who led twice for 21 laps, was involved in a three-car collision with 10 laps left and finished ninth.

Franchitti easily took the lead at the start and led the first 23 laps as chaos erupted behind him on the tricky 11-turn, 1.75-mile course.