2006 Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix

February 2025 Open-wheel race held in Watkins Glen, New York USA Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix Watkins Glen International Long Circuit 2024.svg Layout of the Watkins Glen International circuit June 4 2006 Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix presented by Tissot 2006 Indianapolis 500 2006 Bombardier Learjet 500 IndyCar Series Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, New York Permanent racing facility 3.370 5.423 55 185.350 298.292 Rainy Hélio Castroneves Team Penske No time BRA Marco Andretti Andretti Green Racing 1:34.8752 38 USA Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing NZL Vítor Meira Panther Racing BRA Ryan Briscoe Dreyer & Reinbold Racing AUS 2005 2007 5 14 60 202.200 325.409 The 2006 Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix presented by Tissot was an IRL IndyCar Series open-wheel race that was held on June 4, 2006, in Watkins Glen, New York at Watkins Glen International. It was the fifth round of the 2006 IRL IndyCar Series and the second running of the event. Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon won the 55-lap race, shortened from the scheduled 60 laps due to rain. Vítor Meira finished second for Panther Racing, and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing driver Ryan Briscoe finished third. Hélio Castroneves was awarded the pole position after qualifications were rained out. He was quickly passed for the lead by Tony Kanaan, who led the first eight laps until he, along with most other drivers, swapped out their rain tires for racing slicks. Jeff Simmons led a lap before Tomas Scheckter, who was the first driver to change to slick tires, passed him and commanded the race for twelve laps. Eventually, Scheckter was forced to pit for new tires, and he conceded the lead to Dan Wheldon. Wheldon led a race-high 13 laps prior to pitting and giving up the lead to Castroneves, who led seven consecutive laps until a poor pit stop kept him out of contention for the win. In the meantime, Buddy Rice stayed on track and assumed the lead, but was overtaken by Dixon after leading five laps. After the race was limited to a two-hour duration, many drivers chose to utilize rain tires, while Dixon elected to remain with his slick tires. His risky gamble paid off, and he led the final nine laps en route to his fifth IndyCar Series victory and the final win for Panoz as a chassis constructor. Six caution flags were flown during the race, and the lead was changed six times among seven drivers. The final result moved Dixon from fourth to second in the Drivers' Championship, only behind Castroneves. Sam Hornish Jr. and Wheldon both finished poorly and lost one position each in the standings, while Kanaan maintained his fifth position. Background 2006 IndyCar Series#Teams and drivers left|thumb|Watkins Glen International (pictured in 2021), where the race was held. The Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix was confirmed to be part of the IRL IndyCar Series's 2006 schedule in September 2005.Lewandowski Dave September 13, 2005 Momentum, consistency http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=5437 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20051214160605/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=5437 December 14, 2005 August 17, 2025 IndyCar.com It was the 5th of 14 scheduled races for 2006,May 31, 2006 Watkins Glen: Pre-race notes, schedule http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=219881&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060910005248/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=219881&FS=IRL September 10, 2006 August 17, 2025 Motorsport.com the second annual edition of the event,Let's go Racing http://www.theglen.com/news/track_news/519271.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061216190759/http://www.theglen.com/news/track_news/519271.html December 16, 2006 August 17, 2025 TheGlen.com and the first race of the season to be held in the Northeastern United States.2006 IRL IndyCar Series - Race Calender http://speedsport-magazine.com/motorsport/formula-level1/indycar/2006/calendar.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110107163309/http://speedsport-magazine.com/motorsport/formula-level1/indycar/2006/calendar.html January 7, 2011 August 17, 2025 Speedsport-Magazine.com It was held on Sunday, June 4, 2006, at Watkins Glen International, a 3.37 mi km on, 11-turn permanent road course circuit, in Watkins Glen, New York, United States,Lewandowski Dave May 28, 2006 Quick turnaround: Off to the Glen http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6722 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017160541/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6722 October 17, 2006 August 17, 2025 IndyCar.com and was scheduled to be contested over 60 laps and 202.2 mi km out.May 31, 2006 Watkins Glen: Firestone preview http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=219914&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060910152836/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=219914&FS=IRL September 10, 2006 August 17, 2025 Motorsport.com Scott Dixon was the defending race winner. Heading into the event, Hélio Castroneves held the Drivers' Championship with 156 points. Sam Hornish Jr. improved to second in the standings with 144 points.May 28, 2006 Indy 500: Chip Ganassi Racing race report http://motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=219535 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060616024600/http://motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=219535 June 16, 2006 August 17, 2025 Motorsport.com Dan Wheldon fell to third with 139 points, while Dixon and Tony Kanaan rounded out the top five with 120 and 119 points, respectively.May 30, 2006 Standings after Indy 500 http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=219667&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060910005236/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=219667&FS=IRL September 10, 2006 August 17, 2025 Motorsport.com This race marked the return of Ryan Briscoe, who suffered several injuries after a fiery crash at Chicagoland Speedway in September 2005.June 5, 2006 Dixon victorious at The Glen again 45 https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2006/06/05/dixon-victorious-at-the-glen-again-45/31485778007/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250722045110/https://eu.gainesville.com/story/news/2006/06/05/dixon-victorious-at-the-glen-again-45/31485778007/ July 22, 2025 August 17, 2025 The Gainesville Sun He drove the No. Car Number 5 entry for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, filling in for Buddy Lazier.May 31, 2006 Briscoe to race for Dreyer & Reinbold at The Glen http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6752 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017160101/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6752 October 17, 2006 August 17, 2025 IndyCar.com Team co-owner Dennis Reinbold stated that he and his team planned to evaluate Briscoe's performance during the race in order to improve their road-course efforts; Reinbold confirmed that Lazier would return in the next round at Texas.May 31, 2006 Indy Racing League News and Notes 2006-05-31 http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=219874&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060913072505/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=219874&FS=IRL September 13, 2006 August 17, 2025 Motorsport.com Besides this lone driver change, Hemelgarn Racing shut down their operations for the remainder of the 2006 season, following a second-lap crash in the Indianapolis 500 which took out both of the team's entries,Cavin Curt December 7, 2006 Balancing Act: The Indy Racing League saw plenty of highs and lows https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2073271/balancing-act-indy-racing-league-saw-plenty-highs-and-lows/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250817201408/https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2073271/balancing-act-indy-racing-league-saw-plenty-highs-and-lows/ August 17, 2025 August 17, 2025 Autoweek.com thus leaving P. J. Chesson as a free agent.Lewandowski Dave June 10, 2006 Chesson working to get back in car http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6841 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060615022544/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6841 June 15, 2006 August 17, 2025 IndyCar.com In the days after Hornish Jr.'s victory in the Indianapolis 500, he began his "Victory Tour", which consisted of many media interviews on television and radio shows such as Mike & Mike in the Morning, Anderson Cooper 360°, and Live With Regis and Kelly; an additional appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman would air the day after the race at Watkins Glen.Powell Eric May 30, 2006 No Rest For Hornish As Indy 500 Winner's Tour Is Under Way http://www.indy500.com/news/story.php?story_id=6742 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060810175320/http://www.indy500.com/news/story.php?story_id=6742 August 10, 2006 August 17, 2025 Indy500.com Hornish Jr. admitted that he was slightly tired, but was also grateful for the experience and hoped to do it again next year.Lewandowski Dave June 2, 2006 For Hornish, a burger and some washed clothes http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6764 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017151034/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6764 October 17, 2006 August 17, 2025 IndyCar.com By contrast, second-place finisher Marco Andretti was still dejected by the finish of the Indianapolis 500,June 2, 2006 Days later, Andretti still feels the pain http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6766 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017160704/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6766 October 17, 2006 August 18, 2025 IndyCar.com but expressed excitement for the forthcoming event at Watkins Glen after successfully completing a test at the track the month prior.May 31, 2006 Watkins Glen: Marco Andretti preview http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=219784&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061111083841/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=219784&FS=IRL November 11, 2006 August 18, 2025 Motorsport.com Practice and qualifying thumb|222x222px|Hélio Castroneves (pictured in 2009) was awarded the pole position. Three practice sessions preceded the race on Sunday; the first two were held on Friday, and the third was held on Saturday. The first session lasted for 120 minutes, while the last two were split into two groups, each receiving 30 minutes of track time.Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix Schedule http://www.theglen.com/news/track_news/512908.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061216190842/http://www.theglen.com/news/track_news/512908.html December 16, 2006 August 18, 2025 TheGlen.com The groups would be determined by the speeds of the initial session.Lewandowski Dave March 29, 2006 Click 4 preview http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6216 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060427013728/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6216 April 27, 2006 August 18, 2025 IndyCar.com Castroneves was fastest in practice on Friday morning, with a quick time of 1 minute and 30.9112 seconds, ahead of Kanaan, Dixon, Hornish Jr., and Dario Franchitti.June 2, 2006 Indy Racing League Timing and Scoring Report http://www1.indycar.com/scoring/2006/reports/indycarseries/watkinsglen/indycar-results-p1.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061113193740/http://www1.indycar.com/scoring/2006/reports/indycarseries/watkinsglen/indycar-results-p1.pdf November 13, 2006 August 18, 2025 IndyCar.com The session was stopped four times for spins involving Scott Sharp, Kanaan, Danica Patrick, and Tomas Scheckter, though they spun without contact.June 2, 2006 Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix/Corning 100 Daily Trackside Report -- June 2 http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6767 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017155434/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6767 October 17, 2006 July 12, 2025 IndyCar.com Castroneves later improved on his quick lap during practice on Friday afternoon with a time of 1 minute and 30.6783 seconds, becoming the fastest driver of the day, ahead of Kanaan, Andretti, Dixon, and Wheldon;June 2, 2006 Castroneves leads Friday practice at The Glen http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220061&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061111031957/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220061&FS=IRL November 11, 2006 August 18, 2025 Motorsport.com he was accordingly given the responsibility to decide the qualifying order.Lewandowski Dave June 2, 2006 Castroneves quick again http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6771 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017154536/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6771 October 17, 2006 August 18, 2025 IndyCar.com The lone red flag of the session occurred when Vítor Meira spun in turn seven.Olson Jeff June 2, 2006 Castroneves tops Friday practice https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/castroneves-tops-friday-practice-4401820/4401820/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250818042600/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/castroneves-tops-friday-practice-4401820/4401820/ August 18, 2025 August 18, 2025 Autosport.com Practice for the second group was also delayed by twelve minutes after a deer ran on the track. On Saturday morning, inclement weather prevented a medical helicopter from entering the track, forcing Indy Racing League (IRL) officials to cancel qualifications.Olson Jeff June 3, 2006 Qualifying washed out https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/qualifying-washed-out-4403800/4403800/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20250818142342/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/qualifying-washed-out-4403800/4403800/ August 18, 2025 August 18, 2025 Autosport.com The starting grid was determined by practice speeds on Friday. Castroneves was awarded the pole position, while fellow Brazilian driver Kanaan started alongside him on the front row.June 4, 2006 Rain helps Castroneves https://books.google.com/books?id=IZs_AAAAIBAJ&dq=helio+castroneves+2006+watkins+glen&pg=PA12&article_id=1030,5906774 August 18, 2025 The Victoria Advocate 12 Google News Andretti, Dixon, and Wheldon took the third through fifth positions, while Hornish Jr., Franchitti, Meira, Bryan Herta, and Briscoe rounded out the top ten. Buddy Rice, Kosuke Matsuura, Jeff Simmons, Sharp, Scheckter, Patrick, Eddie Cheever, Ed Carpenter, and Felipe Giaffone started in the final nine positions.June 3, 2006 Watkins Glen: Starting lineup http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220188&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061113080854/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220188&FS=IRL November 13, 2006 August 18, 2025 Motorsport.com The third and final practice session was also delayed by nearly three hours and bunched into one group, which was given 75 minutes of practice.June 3, 2006 Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix/Corning 100 Daily Trackside Report - June 3 http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6786 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017153541/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6786 October 17, 2006 July 12, 2025 IndyCar.com Scheckter was the fastest driver of the rain-filled session with a time of 1 minute and 38.7505 seconds, besting Cheever, Giaffone, Briscoe, and Dixon.June 3, 2006 Watkins Glen: Practice 3 times http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220190&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060911173307/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220190&FS=IRL September 11, 2006 August 18, 2025 Motorsport.com Late in the session, Rice lost control of his car and spun in the first turn.June 3, 2006 Watkins Glen: Rahal Letterman Racing Saturday report http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220218&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060911084422/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220218&FS=IRL September 11, 2006 August 18, 2025 Motorsport.com Qualifying classification Pos. Position No. Car Number Driver Team Chassis Grid Final starting position 1 3 BRA Hélio Castroneves Team Penske Dallara1 211 BRA Tony Kanaan Andretti Green Racing Dallara2 326 USA Marco Andretti Andretti Green Racing Dallara3 49 NZL Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Panoz4 510 GBR Dan Wheldon Chip Ganassi Racing Panoz5 66 USA Sam Hornish Jr. Team Penske Dallara6 727 GBR Dario Franchitti Andretti Green Racing Dallara7 84 BRA Vítor Meira Panther Racing Dallara8 97 USA Bryan Herta Andretti Green Racing Dallara9 105 AUS Ryan Briscoe Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Dallara10 1115 USA Buddy Rice Rahal Letterman Racing Panoz11 1255 JAP Kosuke Matsuura Fernández Racing Dallara12 1317 USA Jeff Simmons Rahal Letterman Racing Panoz13 148 USA Scott Sharp Fernández Racing Panoz14 152 ZAF Tomas Scheckter Vision Racing Dallara15 1616 USA Danica Patrick Rahal Letterman Racing Panoz16 1751 USA Eddie Cheever Cheever Racing Dallara17 1820 USA Ed Carpenter Vision Racing Dallara18 1914 BRA Felipe Giaffone A. J. Foyt Racing Dallara19 Source: Warm-up All nineteen drivers took to the track on Sunday morning for a thirty-minute warm-up session under foggy conditions.June 4, 2006 Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix/Corning 100 Daily Trackside Report -- June 4 http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6795 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017151944/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6795 October 17, 2006 July 12, 2025 IndyCar.com Castroneves lapped the quickest time of the session, at 1 minute and 49.2818 seconds.June 4, 2006 Watkins Glen: Final practice times http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220316&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060915013235/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220316&FS=IRL September 15, 2006 August 18, 2025 Motorsport.com Kanaan, who ended the session two minutes early after spinning in turn one, was second-quickest, followed by Meira, Franchitti, and Herta. Cheever also spun in turn nine, but restarted his car with assistance from track marshals. Race thumb|287x287px|Dan Wheldon (pictured in 2007) led a race-high 13 laps, but exited the race due to a drive shaft failure. The race began at 3:45 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Sunday and was broadcast live on ABC in the United States. Commentary was provided by Marty Reid, while retired drivers Scott Goodyear and Rusty Wallace took the roles of race analysts.Cavin Curt January 25, 2006 Rusty Wallace gets TV deal http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060125%2FSPORTS01%2F60125024 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150924044338/http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060125%2FSPORTS01%2F60125024 September 24, 2015 August 18, 2025 Weather conditions were damp, with air temperatures reaching 58 F C on. Chris Greico, executive of Tissot, commanded the drivers to start their engines. Because of rain earlier in the day, all 19 drivers were required to begin the race with rain tires, making this the first race in IndyCar Series history to be contested in the rain.June 4, 2006 Watkins Glen: Firestone race report http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220392&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061111032253/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220392&FS=IRL November 11, 2006 August 21, 2025 Motorsport.com On the first lap, Kanaan passed Castroneves for the lead in the fourth turn and led the first eight laps.June 4, 2006 Watkins Glen: Tony Kanaan race report http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220427&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061112223924/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220427&FS=IRL November 12, 2006 August 19, 2025 Motorsport.com Scheckter became the first driver to swap out his rain tires for slick tires on lap 4 as the track gradually became dryer.June 4, 2006 Watkins Glen: Vision Racing race report http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220379&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060913162256/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220379&FS=IRL September 13, 2006 August 19, 2025 Motorsport.com Many drivers, including Kanaan, would also enter pit road for slick tires and fuel on the seventh and eighth laps. Simmons, on the other hand, assumed the lead and elected to stay on the track until lap 9. However, as Simmons exited pit road, his cold tires caused him to spin out; the yellow flag was resultantly flown for the first time.June 4, 2006 Watkins Glen: Rahal Letterman Racing race report http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220431&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061111144652/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220431&FS=IRL November 11, 2006 August 19, 2025 Motorsport.com When the race was restarted on lap 12, Scheckter had interited the lead. Only a lap later, the yellow flag was necessitated again when Hornish Jr. spun exiting the seventh turn. Wheldon, running closely behind Hornish Jr., barely avoided hitting him. However, as he attempted to refire his car, his engine stalled, placing him a lap down.Cavin Curt June 4, 2006 Slipping and Sliding: Dixon takes Watkins Glen again while losers leave in a huff https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2066761/slipping-and-sliding-dixon-takes-watkins-glen-again-while-losers-leave-huff/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250819004642/https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2066761/slipping-and-sliding-dixon-takes-watkins-glen-again-while-losers-leave-huff/ August 19, 2025 August 19, 2025 Autoweek.com The third caution flag was issued on the restart on lap 16, when Franchitti, running in third, ran over a wet spot while entering the chicane and spun into the gravel trap.June 4, 2006 Watkins Glen: Dario Franchitti race report http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220425&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061113204021/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220425&FS=IRL November 13, 2006 August 19, 2025 Motorsport.com As other drivers backed off, Rice did not see the initial incident and slid into the tire barriers at the chicane. Both drivers drove away with the help of track marshals. During the subsequent restart on lap 20, Patrick backed into the wall exiting the final turn after receiving slight contact from Cheever, bringing out the fourth caution. More issues arose in the first turn when Matsuura attempted to pass Simmons, but oversteered and slammed into the tire barriers, becoming airborne and collecting Simmons in the process.June 4, 2006 Watkins Glen: Kosuke Matsuura race report http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220378&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061113203928/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220378&FS=IRL November 13, 2006 August 19, 2025 Motorsport.com Unlike Patrick, Matsuura and Simmons were unable to continue due to their heavy damage. In the midst of the chaos, Scheckter led twelve consecutive laps and did not reenter pit road until lap 22, when he gave up the lead to Wheldon for fuel. The green flag was waved again on lap 23. As the attrition rate finally subsided, Wheldon pulled away from the field, gaining a 2.3-second lead over Castroneves by lap 30. Herta and Rice entered the pit lane on lap 34 for fresh tires and fuel, thus kicking off the second round of green-flag pit stops.June 4, 2006 Watkins Glen: Bryan Herta race report http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220428&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061111084158/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220428&FS=IRL November 11, 2006 August 19, 2025 Motorsport.com A lap later, Wheldon drove into pit lane and conceded the lead to Castroneves, who was three tenths of a second ahead of Dixon. The fifth caution was triggered on lap 38 when Cheever, who had just exited pit lane with new tires, skidded into the path of Andretti in the ninth turn; Andretti resultantly veered into the tire barriers and retired from the race along with Cheever. Andretti was evidently furious and shook his fist at Cheever as he exited his cockpit. During this caution period, many top-running drivers elected to enter pit lane for four tires and fuel, while Rice chose to stay out and move to the race lead. Among the drivers who pitted was Castroneves, who suffered a setback when his car did not receive any fuel during his pit stop; he was forced to pit again the next lap and lose several positions.June 4, 2006 Briscoe finishes career-high third in comeback race http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=1&id=2470691 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060625133856/http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=1&id=2470691 June 25, 2006 August 21, 2025 Sports.ESPN.com Wheldon suffered a worse fate, as his drive shaft had suddenly broken during a routine pit stop on lap 41. He retired from the race.Lewandowski Dave June 4, 2006 Disappointment for second race in a row http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6792 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017161707/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6792 October 17, 2006 August 22, 2025 IndyCar.com In the meantime, Dixon emerged from pit lane ahead of every other driver and advanced his position to second. left|thumb|206x206px|Scott Dixon (pictured in 2013) earned his fifth IndyCar Series win. As of 2026, it also marked Panoz's final win as a chassis constructor before they withdrew from the series in 2008. More mayhem ensued during the restart on lap 46. Scheckter failed to brake on time entering the first turn and collided with Franchitti, spinning both cars out. They eventually refired their cars, prompting IRL officials to keep the race green. Later that same lap, Dixon moved to the inside line and overtook Rice for the lead entering the chicane.June 4, 2006 Dixon wins Watkins Glen GP for second year in row http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=1&id=2470551 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060625133843/http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=1&id=2470551 June 25, 2006 August 21, 2025 Sports.ESPN.com As this occurred, Kanaan made contact with teammate Herta, cutting Herta's right-front tire down and damaging Kanaan's front wing. Both drivers limped to the pits to repair their damage and were relegated outside the top ten. On the 49th lap, Meira pulled ahead of Rice for the second position at the chicane.June 4, 2006 Watkins Glen: Panther Racing race report http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220391&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061111144640/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220391&FS=IRL November 11, 2006 August 21, 2025 Motorsport.com The sixth caution of the race was issued a lap later when Kanaan broke loose entering turn eight and made light contact with the guardrail. With rain beginning to fall again, IRL officials announced that the race would become a timed event, which would end when it reached the two-hour mark; by this point, only ten minutes remained until that mark would be reached.Schilke Nancy Knapp June 4, 2006 Dixon two-for-two at The Glen http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220360&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061111144616/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220360&FS=IRL November 11, 2006 August 21, 2025 Motorsport.com Drivers were thus forced to decide whether to race in slick tires or rain tires. Rice, Patrick, Carpenter, and Castroneves chose to drive into pit lane for rain tires, while Dixon, Meira, and Briscoe made a gamble and stayed on track with their slick tires.Olson Jeff June 4, 2006 Dixon wins chaotic wet/dry race https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/dixon-wins-chaotic-wet-dry-race-4403752/4403752/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20250819032809/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/dixon-wins-chaotic-wet-dry-race-4403752/4403752/ August 19, 2025 August 21, 2025 Autosport.com Many drivers with rain tires jockeyed to improve their positions and made their way around drivers with slick tires during the restart on the 53rd lap. The hustling for position eventually led to fourth-place driver Scheckter spinning off-course in turn eight and necessitating the seventh caution of the race. Scheckter was quickly able to refire his car, and the caution period only lasted one lap before the green and white flags were concurrently waved to signify the final lap of the race on lap 55.Lewandowski Dave June 4, 2006 Rainy days and Sundays http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6793 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017161720/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6793 October 17, 2006 July 12, 2025 IndyCar.com Dixon promptly drove away from the other drivers and carefully nursed his way through the circuit for the final time. He nearly drove off-course after losing traction in turn seven, but managed to regain control of his car and score his fifth IndyCar Series win. Dixon also became the first driver to earn two wins in IRL-sanctioned road course events. Meira finished in the second position, 2.3311 seconds behind Dixon,June 4, 2006 Watkins Glen: Race report http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220404&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061113203956/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220404&FS=IRL November 13, 2006 August 22, 2025 Motorsport.com while Briscoe finished third and earned his first podium finish. Rice and Giaffone took the fourth and fifth positions, respectively, and Carpenter, Castroneves, Patrick, Sharp, and Scheckter rounded out the top ten. Kanaan, Hornish Jr., Herta, and Franchitti were the last of the classified finishers.June 4, 2006 Watkins Glen: Race results http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220359&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061111144603/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220359&FS=IRL November 11, 2006 August 22, 2025 Motorsport.com Throughout the duration of the race, the lead position was swapped six times among seven different drivers. Seven cautions also slowed the race for 21 laps.2006 Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2006_Watkins_Glen_Indy_Grand_Prix/O live https://web.archive.org/web/20250513232821/https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2006_Watkins_Glen_Indy_Grand_Prix/O May 13, 2025 August 22, 2025 Racing-Reference.info Post-race Dixon celebrated his win with his team in victory lane; he had earned $115,800 in race winnings. Dixon said of his success at Watkins Glen: "I think it was a day where we were pretty confident throughout the race, knowing that we had the speed to do it. I think all year, the Target team with Dan and I, have had fast cars, we just weren't able to put it all together. We've won two races this year. We're back in winner's circle and the Energizer car is looking cool. We're just happy. It was extremely tough because of the conditions. It just started raining and it was hard to tell how hard to push it because you have 10-15 guys behind you that will push as hard. I think we had enough of a jump to hold them off. We definitely have a bit of luck here at Watkins Glen."June 5, 2006 Watkins Glen: Chip Ganassi Racing race report http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220441&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061113081031/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220441&FS=IRL November 13, 2006 August 22, 2025 Motorsport.com Meira was equally as pleased with his finish, stating: "I'm happy because of where we finished. I'm happy for the team, for the league, for everybody. Finishing second would get old if I felt like we deserved to win, but that's not the case today. We fought hard to finish second here." Third-place finisher Briscoe was also very contended with where he ended up finishing: "I couldn't be happier. To be so close to a victory at the end was amazing. Just coming here for the one-off deal, I couldn't have asked for a better race." Briscoe also hoped that his finish would bring about more opportunities for him to compete in either the IndyCar Series or the Champ Car World Series. thumb|270x270px|Eddie Cheever (pictured in 2009) was heavily criticized after the race for his collisions with Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti. Following the race, much criticism had been directed towards Cheever due to his two incidents on Sunday. Patrick called Cheever an "idiot" during radio communications with her team and directly blamed Cheever for her spin on the 20th lap: "Cheever took me out on the restart and that was what put us a lap down. It is unfortunate and it is silly. There was no point in doing something so desperate on a restart, but he did it. I don't know why he was trying to pass there."Oreovicz John June 7, 2006 Cheever fires back at criticism from other drivers https://www.espn.com/racing/columns/story?columnist=oreovicz_john&id=2473993&seriesId=1 live https://web.archive.org/web/20201106024521/https://www.espn.com/racing/columns/story?columnist=oreovicz_john&id=2473993&seriesId=1 November 6, 2020 August 22, 2025 ESPN.com Andretti shared similar ill will towards Cheever after their incident on the 38th lap: "It was blatant, absolutely blatant. It was absolutely on purpose. If he didn't know I was there, then that's pretty scary."Olson Jeff June 5, 2006 Andretti: Cheever wrecked me https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/andretti-cheever-wrecked-me-4403754/4403754/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20250819042442/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/andretti-cheever-wrecked-me-4403754/4403754/ August 19, 2025 August 22, 2025 Autosport.com He later noted that "it wasn't the first time we've had problems with him."June 4, 2006 Watkins Glen: Marco Andretti race report http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220424&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061113204008/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220424&FS=IRL November 13, 2006 August 22, 2025 Motorsport.com Michael Andretti doubled down on his son's statements, commenting: "It was so blatant. He does it all the time. He doesn't belong on the racetrack. The guy's a complete idiot." Andretti referenced his family's long-standing feud with Cheever, which stems from an incident during the 1992 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach,June 6, 2006 Watkins Glen: Cheever Racing race report http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220573&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061113081056/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220573&FS=IRL November 13, 2006 August 22, 2025 Motorsport.com during an interview with Nicole Manske on the IMS Radio Network: "He had a problem with my father, he had a problem with me and now he's taking it out on my kid." Journalist John Oreovicz of ESPN was also critical of Cheever's driving during the race, writing: "Eddie Cheever Jr.'s involvement in a pair of controversial on-track collisions at The Glen doesn't come as a surprise." Cheever, however, denied wrecking Andretti on purpose: "I had just gone out on the racetrack on a new set of tires and the track is very slippery. I was doing everything I could to keep the car straight. I never had any problem with anybody getting by. It was just bad circumstances." Days after the race, Cheever issued a statement responding to the accusations, calling them "incomprehensible" and stating: "It was a racing accident, pure and simple." He continued: "No single team is the center of the racing universe, no matter how much they seem to think they are. Nobody took them out intentionally, so their accusations look a bit ridiculous. The last I looked, I earned the label of Indy 500 champion; those lobbing unfounded accusations at me have not." The finishing order of the race brought race winner Dixon from fourth to second in the Drivers' Championship with 170 points, only twelve less than leader Castroneves. Hornish Jr. fell to third with 162 points, and Wheldon fell to fourth with 157 points. Kanaan remained fifth with 138 points. Race classification Pos Position No. Car Number Driver Team Chassis Laps Time/Retired Grid Laps led Points 19 NZL Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Panoz5502:00:20.02244950 24 BRA Vítor Meira Panther Racing Dallara55+2.33118040 35 AUS Ryan Briscoe Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Dallara55+2.799910035 415 USA Buddy Rice Rahal Letterman Racing Panoz55+9.228411532 514 BRA Felipe Giaffone A. J. Foyt Racing Dallara55+11.481119030 620 USA Ed Carpenter Vision Racing Dallara55+12.442718028 73 BRA Hélio Castroneves Team Penske Dallara55+13.04551726 816 USA Danica Patrick Rahal Letterman Racing Panoz55+13.328916024 98 USA Scott Sharp Fernández Racing Panoz55+16.646214022 102 ZAF Tomas Scheckter Vision Racing Dallara55+48.4872151220 1111 BRA Tony Kanaan Andretti Green Racing Dallara54+1 Lap2819 126 USA Sam Hornish Jr. Team Penske Dallara54+1 Lap6018 137 USA Bryan Herta Andretti Green Racing Dallara54+1 Lap9017 1427 GBR Dario Franchitti Andretti Green Racing Dallara44+11 Laps7016 1510 GBR Dan Wheldon Chip Ganassi Racing Panoz41Drive shaft513181 1 1626 USA Marco Andretti Andretti Green Racing Dallara38Accident3014 1751 USA Eddie Cheever Cheever Racing Dallara37Accident17013 1855 JAP Kosuke Matsuura Fernández Racing Dallara19Accident12012 1917 USA Jeff Simmons Rahal Letterman Racing Panoz18Accident13112 Source: Notes 1 1 — Includes three bonus points for leading the most laps.101: Points Breakdown http://www.indycar.com/tech/101/points.php dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090223192408/http://www.indycar.com/tech/101/points.php February 23, 2009 October 6, 2025 IndyCar Series Indy Racing League Championship standings after the race Drivers' Championship standings Pos. Position Driver Points10px|alt=Unchanged1 BRA Hélio Castroneves 18210px|alt=Unchanged 22 NZL Scott Dixon 170 (–12)10px|alt=Unchanged 13 USA Sam Hornish Jr. 162 (–20)10px|alt=Unchanged 14 GBR Dan Wheldon 157 (–25)10px|alt=Unchanged5 BRA Tony Kanaan 138 (–44) Source:June 6, 2006 Standings after Watkins Glen http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220544&FS=IRL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061111084210/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=220544&FS=IRL November 11, 2006 August 22, 2025 Motorsport.com Note: Only the top five positions are included. References Grand Prix at The Glen 2006 2006 Indianapolis 500 2006 Bombardier Learjet 500 2005 Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix 2007 Camping World Watkins Glen Grand Prix Category:2006 in IndyCar Category:2006 in motorsport Category:2006 in American motorsport Category:June 2006 sports events in the United States Category:Grand Prix at The Glen Category:2006 in sports in New York (state) Category:2006 in New York (state)