2006 Firestone Indy 400

September 2025 IndyCar race held in Brooklyn, Michigan USA Firestone Indy 400 2006 Firestone Indy 400.jpg July 30 2006 Firestone Indy 400 2006 ABC Supply / A. J. Foyt Indy 225 2006 Meijer Indy 300 IndyCar 11 14 Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, Michigan Permanent racing facility 2.000 3.219 200 400 643.738 Hélio Castroneves Marlboro Team Penske 33.2138 BRA Kosuke Matsuura Super Aguri Fernández Racing 33.2737 7 JAP Hélio Castroneves Marlboro Team Penske BRA Vítor Meira Panther Racing BRA Dan Wheldon Target Chip Ganassi Racing GBR The 2006 Firestone Indy 400 was an IndyCar Series motor race held on July 30, 2006, in Brooklyn, Michigan at Michigan International Speedway. It was the eleventh round of the 2006 IndyCar Series and the fifth running of the event. Marlboro Team Penske driver Hélio Castroneves won the 200-lap race. Panther Racing's Vítor Meira finished second and Dan Wheldon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing finished third. Castroneves won the pole position by posting the fastest lap of qualifying. After rainfall delayed the start of the race by two-and-a-half hours, Castroneves' teammate Sam Hornish Jr. took the first position on lap 4 and maintained the lead until making a pit stop on the 41st lap. From this point on, Hornish Jr. dealt with engine issues that forced him to retire. Meira then became the main contender for the win, leading a race-high 75 laps, but Castroneves ultimately overtook him for the win after the final cycle of green-flag pit stops ended. The victory was the eleventh of Castroneves' IndyCar career. After the race, Castroneves took the Drivers' Championship lead, eight points ahead of teammate Hornish Jr. and seventeen ahead of Wheldon. Scott Dixon, who finished two laps down after running out of fuel early in the race, fell to fourth, while Meira broke his tie with Tony Kanaan for fifth with three races left in the season. Background 2006 IndyCar Series#Teams and drivers left|thumb|250x250px|Michigan International Speedway (pictured in 2010), where the race was held. The Firestone Indy 400 was the 11th of 14 scheduled open-wheel races for the 2006 IndyCar Series and the fifth edition of the event dating back to 2002.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 September 23, 2025 IndyCar July 23, 2006 Next up: Wide-open spaces at Michigan http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7165 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017154048/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7165 October 17, 2006 October 3, 2025 IndyCar It was held on July 30, 2006, in Brooklyn, Michigan, United States, at Michigan International Speedway, a four-turn 2 mi km on asphalt tri-oval which features 18-degree banking in the turns, 12-degree banking in the front stretch, and 5-degree banking in the back stretch, and contested over 200 laps and 400 mi km out.IRL: Michigan: Round 11 preview, schedule https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-round-11-preview-schedule/2092820/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251003232358/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-round-11-preview-schedule/2092820/ October 3, 2025 October 3, 2025 Motorsport.com Before the race, Marlboro Team Penske driver Sam Hornish Jr. led the Drivers' Championship with 356 points, ahead of second-place driver Scott Dixon with 331. Hélio Castroneves was third with 326 points, two more than Dan Wheldon in fourth. Tony Kanaan and Vítor Meira were tied for fifth with 277 points each. IRL: Standings after Milwaukee https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-standings-after-milwaukee-1/2092552/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251002215701/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-standings-after-milwaukee-1/2092552/ October 2, 2025 October 3, 2025 Motorsport.com Bryan Herta was the race's defending champion.July 27, 2006 Wired for the weekend http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7203 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017151309/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7203 October 17, 2006 October 3, 2025 IndyCar After winning the preceding ABC Supply / A. J. Foyt Indy 225, Kanaan said his team utilized information from a recent test conducted by him and his team at Michigan in order to prepare for the race.IRL: Michigan: Tony Kanaan preview https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-tony-kanaan-preview-2008-03-27/2092712/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251004011903/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-tony-kanaan-preview-2008-03-27/2092712/ October 4, 2025 October 4, 2025 Motorsport.com Championship leader Hornish Jr. was determined to earn a win at Michigan, particularly in front of the many fans from Northwest Ohio, where he was born.Lewandowski Dave July 24, 2006 Hard charge gives Hornish some breathing room http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7166 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017161256/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7166 October 17, 2006 October 4, 2025 IndyCar Castroneves compared the track's length to that of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and likened its banking to that of Kansas Speedway; according to him, these characteristics enabled drivers to race on several different racing lines. He hoped to win the race by being patient.July 24, 2006 IRL: Milwaukee/Michigan: Team Penske Pit Notes https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-milwaukee-michigan-team-penske-pit-notes/2092516/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251004020005/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-milwaukee-michigan-team-penske-pit-notes/2092516/ October 4, 2025 October 4, 2025 Motorsport.com Meira expected he would continue his season-long consistency at Michigan and hoped to gain a points advantage over the four drivers ahead of him.IRL: Michigan: Panther Racing preview https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-panther-racing-preview-1/2092884/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251004023248/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-panther-racing-preview-1/2092884/ October 4, 2025 October 4, 2025 Motorsport.com One team made their season debut at the race. Roth Racing, owned by driver Marty Roth, sold their Indy Pro Series equipment in April and announced their intentions to compete full-time in the IndyCar Series, beginning with the Indianapolis 500.Redmayne Tim May 2, 2006 Roth to move to IRL after Indy https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/roth-to-move-to-irl-after-indy-4402690/4402690/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251004024534/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/roth-to-move-to-irl-after-indy-4402690/4402690/ October 4, 2025 October 4, 2025 Autosport.com The team's plans were heavily sidelined when Roth crashed during qualifying for the event, resulting in him missing several races.June 28, 2006 Roth seeks consistency in testing http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6960 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017150948/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6960 October 17, 2006 October 4, 2025 IndyCar Following a test at Michigan on June 28, Roth explained that he wanted to make the car "consistent" for the Firestone Indy 400 which he aimed to compete in.June 28, 2006 IRL: Michigan Int'l Speedway - Roth spotlight https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-int-l-speedway-roth-spotlight/2090624/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251004030259/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-int-l-speedway-roth-spotlight/2090624/ October 4, 2025 October 4, 2025 Motorsport.com Brooklyn, Michigan He later said he wanted to participate in the upcoming races at Kentucky Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway before racing full-time in 2007.Lewandowski Dave July 30, 2006 Long way from Indy http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7220 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017152328/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7220 October 17, 2006 October 4, 2025 IndyCar The lone driver change of the race was that of the No. Car Number 5 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing entry. Ryan Briscoe had driven the car in the past two races, but was not scheduled to compete at Michigan.July 10, 2006 Briscoe back with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7053 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017151640/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7053 October 17, 2006 October 4, 2025 IndyCar The team chose Buddy Lazier to fill in for Briscoe, marking his first start for the team since the Kansas Lottery Indy 300. Lazier said his deal to race at Michigan was materialized "last minute."July 29, 2006 Firestone Indy 400 Daily Trackside Report -- July 29 http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7218 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017151839/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7218 October 17, 2006 October 4, 2025 IndyCar Practice and qualifying Three practice sessions preceded the race on Sunday, all of which were held on Saturday and lasted for 60 minutes with weather conditions dry throughout. Castroneves led the first practice session with a time of 33.3964 seconds, beating Wheldon by six-hundredths of a second; Hornish Jr., Scott Sharp, and Dixon were third- through fifth-quickest.IRL: Michigan: Practice 1 times https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-practice-1-times-1/2093024/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251004034242/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-practice-1-times-1/2093024/ October 4, 2025 October 4, 2025 Motorsport.com Hornish Jr. lapped faster than teammate Castroneves in the second practice session, posting a top time of 33.3155 seconds. Castroneves was second, one-hundredth of a second behind Hornish Jr., while Meira, Dixon, and Wheldon were third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.IRL: Michigan: Practice 2 times https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-practice-2-times-1/2093040/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251004040338/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-practice-2-times-1/2093040/ October 4, 2025 October 4, 2025 Motorsport.com During the qualifying session, which was held on Saturday afternoon, each driver could choose to complete two or three warm-up laps before attempting up to two timed laps; the quickest of the two would determine their starting position. Castroneves earned his fifteenth career pole position with a time of 33.2138 seconds. He was joined on the grid's front row by teammate Hornish Jr., who was four-hundredths of a second slower and had the pole position until Castroneves' lap.Lewandowski Dave July 29, 2006 Castroneves takes fifth http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7217 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017153217/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7217 October 17, 2006 October 4, 2025 IndyCar Both Marlboro Team Penske drivers were pleased with their efforts, with Castroneves saying: "The Marlboro Team Penske team is in a great atmosphere right now. Sam and I have been sharing information, and I think it's been benefiting both of us."IRL: Michigan: Qualifying report https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-qualifying-report-1/2093088/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251004033237/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-qualifying-report-1/2093088/ October 4, 2025 October 4, 2025 Motorsport.com Kanaan qualified third, with Ed Carpenter fourth in his career-best starting position. Dixon, Meira, Dario Franchitti, Tomas Scheckter, Wheldon, and Buddy Rice rounded out the top ten positions, and Danica Patrick, Herta, Sharp, Kosuke Matsuura, Lazier, Jeff Simmons, Roth, Jeff Bucknum, and Marco Andretti completed the starting grid.Olson Jeff July 29, 2006 Castroneves on pole again https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/castroneves-on-pole-again-4404570/4404570/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251004131328/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/castroneves-on-pole-again-4404570/4404570/ October 4, 2025 October 4, 2025 Autosport.com Hornish Jr. led the final practice session with a time of 33.3964 seconds, five-hundredths of a second quicker than second-place driver Castroneves. Wheldon, Dixon, and Scheckter occupied positions third through fifth.July 29, 2006 Indy Racing League Timing and Scoring Report - Final Practice Session Results http://www1.indycar.com/scoring/2006/reports/indycarseries/michigan/indycar-results-pf.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061019203828/http://www1.indycar.com/scoring/2006/reports/indycarseries/michigan/indycar-results-pf.pdf October 19, 2006 October 4, 2025 IndyCar The session ended four minutes early when Rice ran out of fuel and parked his car in between the third and fourth turns. Qualifying classification Pos Position No. Car Number Driver Team Time Time in seconds Speed Speed in MPH Finalgrid Final starting grid position 13 BRA Hélio Castroneves Marlboro Team Penske 33.2138 216.7771 26 USA Sam Hornish Jr. Marlboro Team Penske 33.2615 216.4662 311 BRA Tony Kanaan Andretti Green Racing 33.5253 214.7633 420 USA Ed Carpenter Vision Racing 33.5602 214.5404 59 NZL Scott Dixon Target Chip Ganassi Racing 33.6020 214.2735 64 BRA Vítor Meira Panther Racing 33.6182 214.1706 727 GBR Dario Franchitti Andretti Green Racing 33.6683 213.8517 82 ZAF Tomas Scheckter Vision Racing 33.6881 213.7258 9 10 GBR Dan Wheldon Target Chip Ganassi Racing 33.6931 213.6949 1015 USA Buddy Rice Rahal Letterman Racing 33.7315 213.45010 1116 USA Danica Patrick Rahal Letterman Racing 33.7462 213.35711 127 USA Bryan Herta Andretti Green Racing 33.7700 213.20712 138 USA Scott Sharp Delphi Fernández Racing 33.7768 213.16413 1455 JAP Kosuke Matsuura Super Aguri Fernández Racing 33.8408 212.76114 155 USA Buddy Lazier Dreyer & Reinbold Racing 33.9226 212.24815 1617 USA Jeff Simmons Rahal Letterman Racing 34.0119 211.69116 1725 CAN Marty Roth Roth Racing 34.2039 210.50217 1814 USA Jeff Bucknum A. J. Foyt Racing 34.2286 210.35018 1926 USA Marco Andretti Andretti Green Racing 34.3043 209.88619 Sources:July 29, 2006 Indy Racing League Timing and Scoring Report - Qualification Results http://www1.indycar.com/scoring/2006/reports/indycarseries/michigan/indycar-results-quals.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061019203930/http://www1.indycar.com/scoring/2006/reports/indycarseries/michigan/indycar-results-quals.pdf October 19, 2006 October 4, 2025 IndyCarIRL: Michigan: Starting lineup https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-starting-lineup-2/2093056/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251004143439/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-starting-lineup-2/2093056/ October 4, 2025 October 4, 2025 Motorsport.com Race The race was scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM EDT (UTC−04:00); however, all pre-race activities were halted for 2 hours and 30 minutes after significant rainfall impacted the track at around 2:50 PM.July 30, 2006 Firestone Indy 400 Daily Trackside Report -- July 30 http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7225 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017151935/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7225 October 17, 2006 October 4, 2025 IndyCarJuly 31, 2006 Penske's MIS skid ends https://books.google.com/books?id=8YdIAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA15&dq=helio+castroneves+2006+michigan&article_id=5444,4351110&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_wvHp_4qQAxUa0PACHYk9GjMQ6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q=helio%20castroneves%202006%20michigan&f=false live October 4, 2025 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 15 The long postponement affected the live coverage of the race. It was originally due to air on ABC, but after exceeding the network's television window, live coverage was shifted to ABC's sister networks ESPN and ESPN2.Lewandowski Dave July 31, 2006 Rain creates challenges for all parties http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7236 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017153312/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7236 October 17, 2006 October 5, 2025 IndyCar Commentary was provided by Marty Reid, Rusty Wallace, and Scott Goodyear.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 October 4, 2025 IndyStar.com When the track was completely dried, weather conditions had become partially cloudy, with air temperatures at 77 F C on and track temperatures at 98 F C on. Firestone OEM president Mike Martini gave the command for drivers to start their engines and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford drove the pace car, which led the field under the caution flag in the first two laps because of a moist track surface.Lewandowski Dave March 24, 2006 A first: Hybrid technology paces the field http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6163 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017153522/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6163 October 17, 2006 October 4, 2025 IndyCar left|thumb|300x300px|Hélio Castroneves (pictured in 2018) led 61 laps and won the race. On lap 4, Hornish Jr. drove up the track and passed Castroneves on the back stretch. Castroneves remained in Hornish Jr.'s trail as part of a fuel-saving strategy for the next 37 laps, while Wheldon climbed to third place and Kanaan, Scheckter, Carpenter, and Meira engaged in a tight battle for the fourth position. Green-flag pit stops began on the 40th lap, with Hornish Jr. and Castroneves stopping a lap later, giving the lead to Wheldon. On lap 44, the second caution was issued after Roth's car ran out of fuel on the back stretch. Dixon suffered the same misfortune from second place one lap later, as he and teammate Wheldon were making their way into pit road. Dixon was towed into his pit stall and lost two laps;IRL: Michigan: Chip Ganassi Racing race report https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-chip-ganassi-racing-race-report-2/2093392/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251005013617/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-chip-ganassi-racing-race-report-2/2093392/ October 5, 2025 October 5, 2025 Motorsport.com Wheldon made his stop on the 46th lap and conceded the lead to Matsuura. Three laps later, Hornish Jr., who had been relegated to tenth place, entered pit road with an overheating engine. He rejoined the race in 17th, losing a lap in the process.Lewandowski Dave July 30, 2006 Follow the leader http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7223 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017154308/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7223 October 17, 2006 October 5, 2025 IndyCar Matsuura led the field back up to speed on the lap-52 restart,2006 Firestone Indy 400 https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2006_Firestone_Indy_400/O live https://web.archive.org/web/20250515004550/https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2006_Firestone_Indy_400/O May 15, 2025 October 5, 2025 Racing-Reference.info NASCAR Digital Media though he was quickly overtaken by Herta.July 30, 2006 IRL: Michigan: Bryan Herta race report https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-bryan-herta-race-report-2008-03-27/2093344/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251005125157/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-bryan-herta-race-report-2008-03-27/2093344/ October 5, 2025 October 5, 2025 Motorsport.com Meira, meanwhile, climbed from the fifth position to pass Herta for the lead on lap 54.July 31, 2006 IRL: Michigan: Panther Racing race report https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-panther-racing-race-report-1/2093372/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251005130237/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-panther-racing-race-report-1/2093372/ October 5, 2025 October 5, 2025 Motorsport.com Over the next 34 laps, by which point Meira held a 2.2-second lead, Hornish Jr. made pit stops on laps 59 and 73 before retiring from the race with persistent engine issues. The second round of green-flag pit stops began on lap 87. Meira made his stop for four tires and fuel on lap 88, handing the lead to Scheckter, who pitted two laps later. After pit stops concluded on the 93rd lap, Meira reclaimed the first position. Castroneves managed to close the gap to Meira by lap 105, but was unable to pass him. Twenty-four laps later, Castroneves kicked off the third round of green-flag pit stops; Meira made his stop on lap 130, as did Wheldon on lap 133. Castroneves took the lead once pit stops ended on the 134th lap, while Meira fell to second. Castroneves widened his gap over Meira to 4.3 seconds before making his final pit stop on lap 168. Meira made his stop four laps later, along with Carpenter, Patrick, and Andretti. After Wheldon and Scheckter stopped for tires and fuel on lap 177, Castroneves cycled back to the first position, and Kanaan overtook Scheckter for fourth place.July 30, 2006 IRL: Michigan: Tony Kanaan race report https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-tony-kanaan-race-report-2008-03-27/2093348/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251005193844/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-tony-kanaan-race-report-2008-03-27/2093348/ October 5, 2025 October 5, 2025 Motorsport.com Brooklyn, Michigan Meira gradually condensed his gap behind Castroneves from four seconds to 1.5 seconds by the 187th lap.Olson Jeff July 31, 2006 Castroneves wins at Michigan https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/castroneves-wins-at-michigan-4404507/4404507/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251005195100/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/castroneves-wins-at-michigan-4404507/4404507/ October 5, 2025 October 5, 2025 Autosport.com Despite Meira's rapid pace, Castroneves maintained the lead for the final 13 laps and secured his eleventh career IndyCar win and fourth of the season. It also marked Marlboro Team Penske's first win at Michigan since 1991. Meira finished second for the seventh time in his career,Lewandowski Dave July 31, 2006 Meira comes close again http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7213 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017152813/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7213 October 17, 2006 October 5, 2025 IndyCar ahead of Wheldon in third, Kanaan fourth, and Scheckter fifth. Sharp, Carpenter, Andretti, Matsuura, and Simmons rounded out the top ten, and Herta, Franchitti, Rice, Bucknum, Lazier, Dixon, and Roth were the last of the classified finishers.Firestone Indy 400 https://www.indycar.com/results/ntt-indycar-series/2006/firestone-indy-400/race live https://web.archive.org/web/20251005201720/https://www.indycar.com/results/ntt-indycar-series/2006/firestone-indy-400/race October 5, 2025 October 5, 2025 IndyCar The race had two cautions and fifteen lead changes among seven different drivers. Meira led three times for a total of 75 laps, more than any other driver. The average speed was 193.972 mph km/h on, making this the fastest American open-wheel race at Michigan and the third-fastest race in IndyCar Series history.July 31, 2006 An Interview With Helio Castroneves, Vitor Meira And Dan Wheldon http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7230 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061017161622/http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=7230 October 17, 2006 October 5, 2025 IndyCar Post-race Castroneves performed his usual celebratory practice of climbing the front stretch catchfence before driving into victory lane; he earned $125,800 for his win. Castroneves was jubilant with his victory, saying: "I'm extremely happy. It was hard on everybody, not only myself but the entire team. Well, that's just to prove that you can't give up, you have to believe. The entire team believed." He admitted that he drove "like a maniac" in the final ten laps of the race upon seeing Meira in his rearview mirror. Second-place finisher Meira was pleased despite failing to win: "Panther Racing gave 102 percent today. We are doing it week in and week out at any track with any aero configuration. This is what makes champions, and winners and that's what we have here at Panther Racing. Everything is working."July 30, 2006 IRL: Michigan: Race report https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-race-report-2/2093356/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251005213650/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-michigan-race-report-2/2093356/ October 5, 2025 October 5, 2025 Motorsport.com Third-place finisher Wheldon felt sympathetic for Hornish Jr. and admitted his performance paled in comparison to some of his competitors. He also thanked teammate Dixon for helping him at the end of the race. Kanaan, who finished fourth, was reportedly seen in a heated discussion with Wheldon after the race. Though he felt his car was not capable of winning, he was angered that he did not finish third: "[Chip] Ganassi put Dixon between Dan and myself. They are going for a championship and we are going for race wins. We have two superspeedway races remaining and [Andretti Green Racing] has four cars for the payback." According to Wheldon, Kanaan never argued with him: "He came up to me and said, 'Good race.'" Patrick, who ran out of fuel with two laps remaining, was evidently infuriated with her retirement and stomped on pit road. She revealed that she had been dealing with telemetry issues throughout most of the race and stated: "This one is going to bug me for a while." Hornish Jr. said of his lap-73 retirement: "It's a shame to end a day like that, but that's how it goes sometimes." The final result dropped Hornish Jr. to second in the Drivers' Championship with 368 points, eight less than Castroneves. Wheldon, with 359 points, moved to third over Dixon, who had 345 points. Meira, with 320 points, broke his tie with Kanaan for fifth.IRL: Standings after Michigan https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-standings-after-michigan-1/2093464/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250114154947/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/irl-standings-after-michigan-1/2093464/ January 14, 2025 October 5, 2025 Motorsport.com With three races remaining in the season, the 56-point margin separating Castroneves and Meira marked the closest points deficit between the top-five drivers since 2001. Race classification Pos Position No. Car Number Driver Team Laps Time/Retired Grid Final starting grid position Pts. Points 13 BRA Hélio Castroneves Marlboro Team Penske 200 02:03:43.7441150 24 BRA Vítor Meira Panther Racing 200 +1.62296431 1 310 GBR Dan Wheldon Target Chip Ganassi Racing 200 +6.2259935 411 BRA Tony Kanaan Andretti Green Racing 200 +6.9874332 52 ZAF Tomas Scheckter Vision Racing 200 +27.9005830 68 USA Scott Sharp Delphi Fernández Racing 200 +28.55601328 720 USA Ed Carpenter Vision Racing 199 +1 lap426 826 USA Marco Andretti Andretti Green Racing 199 +1 lap1924 955 JAP Kosuke Matsuura Super Aguri Fernández Racing 199 +1 lap1422 1017 USA Jeff Simmons Rahal Letterman Racing 199 +1 lap1620 117 USA Bryan Herta Andretti Green Racing 199 +1 lap1219 1227 GBR Dario Franchitti Andretti Green Racing 199 +1 lap718 1315 USA Buddy Rice Rahal Letterman Racing 199 +1 lap1017 1414 USA Jeff Bucknum A. J. Foyt Racing 198 +2 laps1816 155 USA Buddy Lazier Dreyer & Reinbold Racing 198 +2 laps1515 169 NZL Scott Dixon Target Chip Ganassi Racing 198 +2 laps514 1716 USA Danica Patrick Rahal Letterman Racing 197 Out of fuel1113 1825 CAN Marty Roth Roth Racing 192 +8 laps1712 196 USA Sam Hornish Jr. Marlboro Team Penske 61 Engine212 Sources:July 30, 2006 Firestone Indy 400 - Unofficial Lap Report - July 30th, 2006 http://www1.indycar.com/scoring/2006/reports/indycarseries/michigan/indycar-race-lapfinal.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061019203933/http://www1.indycar.com/scoring/2006/reports/indycarseries/michigan/indycar-race-lapfinal.pdf October 19, 2006 October 6, 2025 IndyCar 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 Championship standings after the race + Drivers' Championship standings Pos. Position Driver Points10px|alt=Unchanged 21 BRA Hélio Castroneves 37610px|alt=Unchanged 12 USA Sam Hornish Jr. 368 (–8)10px|alt=Unchanged 13 GBR Dan Wheldon 359 (–17)10px|alt=Unchanged 24 NZL Scott Dixon 345 (–31)10px|alt=Unchanged 15 BRA Vítor Meira 320 (–56) Sources: Note: Only the top five positions are included. References Firestone Indy 400 2006 2006 ABC Supply / A. J. Foyt Indy 225 2006 Meijer Indy 300 2005 Michigan Indy 400 2007 Firestone Indy 400 Category:2006 in IndyCar Category:2006 in sports in Michigan Category:Michigan Indy 400 Category:July 2006 sports events in the United States