The 2009 IndyCar Series season had its share of news stories, ranging from Dario Franchitti's masterful return to open-wheel racing to Helio Castroneves' acquittal in his federal tax evasion trial. Speculation of Danica Patrick's future also has made for an interesting year on the circuit.

SUPER DARIO

One year after his return to IndyCar following a brief stint in NASCAR, Franchitti captured his second series championship with a victory in last weekend's season-finale at Homestead.

Franchitti won his first title in 2007 before switching from open-wheel to stock car racing. When his efforts in NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series competition went off track, Franchitti joined Chip Ganassi Racing's IndyCar team in September 2008, and his comeback was nothing short of success.

After a fourth-place finish in the April 5 season-opener in St. Petersburg, FL, Franchitti drove to his first victory of the year and took the points lead two weeks later in Long Beach, CA. He endured his season-worst finish of 18th later in the month at Kansas.

Franchitti ended the season with five victories. His Ganassi teammate Scott Dixon won five times as well.

At Homestead, just eight points separated the top-three drivers -- Dixon, Franchitti and Ryan Briscoe from Team Penske. Franchitti kicked off the weekend by taking the pole and earning a much needed bonus point, putting him four markers behind leader Dixon.

Franchitti capitalized on a late-race pit strategy and then held off Briscoe and Dixon in the final laps for the victory. He ended the year 11 points ahead of Dixon and 12 in front of Briscoe.

"I didn't think I'd win five races and a championship in my first year back," said Franchitti, who collected a $1 million bonus for his title. "I knew driving for team Target, I'd have good equipment, just a question of could I get back into it and compete at a level that I had [before]."

Franchitti is the oldest driver to win a series championship at age 36. He also became the third driver with multiple titles, joining Dixon and Sam Hornish Jr., who holds the record with three.

"In '07, there was a lot of satisfaction in getting that one done," he said. "And now to come back from where we were a year ago. I think that's what makes it sweeter is we've got everybody together, and you've got a more balanced schedule as well."

While this year's battle for the championship turned out to be a tight one, team owner Chip Ganassi couldn't be more pleased with the outcome of this season. Ganassi's drivers finished 1-2 in the standings and combined for 10 wins in the 17-race schedule.

"When you look back at the season, I'm the luckiest owner in the paddock," Ganassi said. "I've got two great drivers."

Dixon entered this season as the heavy favorite to win the championship. He clinched his second series title in convincing style last year, winning six races, including the Indianapolis 500. Dixon set a series record in August when he won at Mid-Ohio and surpassed Hornish for most career victories with 20.

COMPETITION

This year, the Indy Racing League restructured its bonus points system, and it played a big factor in deciding the championship. From 2000-08, all three bonus points were awarded to the lap leader of each race, but this season, the pole winner of each race received one point, and the driver who led the most laps picked up two points.

Of the 49 bonus points awarded this year, Briscoe, Dixon and Franchitti combined for 38 of them. Briscoe received 14 points, while Dixon earned 13 and Franchitti took 11.

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