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Wheldon Wins by a WhiskerStarting fifth, Wheldon ran in the lead pack all day long, leading a total of 88 laps and at one point opening up a relatively massive two-second advantage over the field. But a late-race caution flag on Lap 184 bunched up the field and set up a 13-lap finishing sprint. Wheldon held the low line in the final laps as the Penske duo challenged on the high side, resulting in the eighth-closest finish in IRL history.
The race was marred by a spectacular crash on Lap 19, when rookie Ryan Briscoe touched wheels with Alex Barron, sending Briscoe's car high into the air and crashing into the debris fence as Honda-powered Kosuke Matsuura also was caught up in the crash. Although awake and alert following the accident, Briscoe was transported to a local hospital with a possible concussion and back pain, while Matsuura and Barron escaped serious injury.
Rookie points leader Danica Patrick started from the pole and led the opening lap, but was penalized for jumping the final restart and finished sixth, still her best result since a sixth-place finish at Kansas Speedway in July. Tony Kanaan led 46 laps, and battled Tomas Scheckter in the final laps to finish fifth.
Vitor Meira moved up impressively in the final laps to take the chequered in seventh, just ahead of Delphi Fernandez Racing’s Scott Sharp.
Dan Wheldon (#26 Klein Tools/Jim Beam Andretti Green Racing Honda) Started 5th, finished 1st, an IRL record sixth win of 2005 and Honda's 11th victory, has all but clinched his first series title: "Obviously our thoughts have been with all the victims of Hurricane Katrina and with today being the fourth year since the 9-11 tragedy, it's been a tough day for everyone. But I think we put on a hell of a show. The Honda ran great all day, it carried us to victory, no doubt about it. We knew we had a quick car all weekend, but it was difficult to tell how good it was until we actually got out there and raced it. My engineer Eddie Jones made some great calls and the crew did a terrific job. The Penskes were very quick, but that's what you expect in a series this competitive. It's the best series in the world."
Danica Patrick (#16 Argent Mortgage/Pioneer Rahal Letterman Racing Honda) Started 1st, finished 6th, her seventh top-10 finish of 2005, continues to lead the series Rookie standings: "We finally led the first lap from the pole, so I'm happy about that. In a lot of ways, it was a typical super-speedway race for us – at times we'd drop back, but we were always able to come forward through the field again. On the last restart, we were running fourth, and I thought I heard [my spotter] say 'green green', so I got on the gas, but it was too early, so I had to get back behind [Tomas] Scheckter or get a penalty. Sixth is a good result for us. It's the first time we've finished near the front after starting from the pole, so that's real progress and I'm pleased with that."
Scott Sharp (#8 Delphi Fernandez Racing Honda) Started 9th, finished 8th, his 11th top-10 finish of 2005: "It was a tough day. We knew coming here that there would be multi-pack running in the race, and we have been struggling a bit with the handling of our car in turbulent air, and that’s what this place is all about. It was a bit fluky. There were times when the car was really good, and I charged into the top five, but it wouldn't last long and then the handling would go off. When there are two or three rows of three-abreast in front, you have no downforce and any handling issues you have are exaggerated. But we're leaving with good [championship] points again, and we'll go on to Watkins Glen."
Buddy Rice (#15 Argent Mortgage/Pioneer Rahal Letterman Racing Honda)
Started 2nd, finished 13th: "I don’t know if it was the heat or what, but
the track felt slick today. The car was too loose, the car just didn't handle
well in traffic. On the plus side, we had great pit stops today. I think we
picked up at least two positions with every stop. But I just couldn't run in the
pack like you need to here."
Honda Driver Race Results:
| Ps. | St. | Driver | Laps | Average Speed/Notes |
| 1 | 5 | Dan Wheldon | 200 | 169.160 mph average |
| 5 | 13 | Tony Kanaan | 200 | -0.224 seconds |
| 6. | 1. | Danica Patrick-R | 200 | -0.439 seconds |
| 7. | 20. | Vitor Meira | 200 | -0.452 seconds |
| 8. | 9. | Scott Sharp | 200 | -0.597 seconds |
| 12. | 10. | Dario Franchitti | 200 | -1.042 seconds |
| 13. | 2. | Buddy Rice | 200 | -1.153 seconds |
| 14. | 6. | Bryan Herta | 200 | -1.362 seconds |
| 15. | 15. | Roger Yasukawa | 200 | -2.178 seconds |
| 23. | 12. | Kosuke Matsuura | 19 | not running-contact |
IndyCar Series Drivers’ Championship (after 15 of 17 races)
1. Dan Wheldon 570 points (6 wins)
2. Tony Kanaan 468 (2 wins)
3. Sam Hornish Jr. 456 (2 wins)
4. Dario Franchitti 413 (1 win)
5. Helio Castroneves 400 (1 win)
6. Scott Sharp 375 (1 win)
7. Vitor Meira 354
8. Bryan Herta 349 (1 win)
9. Tomas Scheckter 349 (1 win)
10. Patrick Carpentier 341
11. Alex Barron 300
12. Danica Patrick 299
13. Kosuke Matsuura 280
14. Buddy Rice 265
15. Scott Dixon 248
19. Roger Yasukawa 217
Manufacturers’ Championship:
1. Honda 136 points (11 wins)
2. Toyota 108 (3 wins)
3. Chevrolet 86 (1 win)
Rookie of the Year:
1. Danica Patrick 299 points
2. Ryan Briscoe 232
3. Tomas Enge 220