Zanardi Ties Mark With Win

Alex Zanardi tied a CART record by winning his fourth consecutive race, executing a sensational pass to take the lead three laps from the end of the Toronto Molson-Indy Sunday.

The streak matches the mark set by Al Unser Jr. in 1990, and was Zanardi’s sixth victory in 11 starts.

Pole-winner Dario Franchitti, 25, dominated the 95-lap event until the first turn of lap 80 when he spun while leading by 11 seconds.

Michael Andretti barely slipped by the front of Franchitti’s car and took the lead. Jimmy Vasser, who had been third, nearly stopped before bumping over the front wing of Franchitti’s Reynard as Zanardi, his Target-Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, took advantage to speed past the rear of Franchitti’s car and take second place.

That situation brought out the fourth and final caution flag. When the green flag flew again for the start of lap 86, Andretti held a nearly two-second lead over Zanardi. But that margin began to dwindle almost immediately.

Finally, on the third turn of lap 93, Zanardi darted to the inside, moved alongside the leader and squeezed past Andretti en route to victory.

Zanardi won by 1.921 seconds, averaging 87.272 mph.

*

Scott Sharp outclassed the field and took over the Indy Racing League points lead (202 to 194) from Tony Stewart with a victory in the crash-filled Pep Boys 400K at Dover, Del., the first Indy-car race in the last 29 years at Dover Downs International Speedway.

Sharp defeated Buddy Lazier by 0.689 seconds, averaging 99.318 mph.

*

Cory McClenathan, Tony Pedregon, Jeg Coughlin Jr., and Matt Hines each posted wins at the Mopar Parts Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo., the 12th stop in the 22-race, $30-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

McClenathan earned his fifth top fuel victory of the season and Pedregon won his second funny car event. Coughlin claimed his third pro stock win while Hines continued his domination of pro stock motorcycle competition.