Something special for Schumacher
Michael Schumacher took both hands off his Ferrari's steering wheel to wave to fans during a victory lap yesterday in the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.
Later, he jumped atop his car, and leaped into crew members' arms. He mugged for the cameras during the postrace ceremony, guzzling champagne, pumping his fists, and kicking up one leg behind him while pointing his right index finger to the sky.
There's no doubt who's No. 1 in Formula One, and Schumacher celebrated after tying his own record with 11 victories in a season as he closed in on his seventh championship.
"It's unbelievable. What a weekend. Yesterday, pole position -- today, the victory," the German said. "The atmosphere this morning, it was just fantastic, and then to win the race. It was great fun."
It was Schumacher's sixth straight victory, matching Alberto Ascari's record for a season set in 1952. Schumacher, who has won all but one race this year, finished 8.3 seconds ahead of Jenson Button. Fernando Alonso was third.
With the temperature on the track topping 100 degrees, Schumacher raced away from the start and built a 3.3-second lead over Kimi Raikkonen within nine laps. Raikkonen's race ended suddenly on the 14th lap when his McLaren-Mercedes's rear wing flew off, and he went out of control into a tire barrier. He wasn't hurt.
IRL -- Dario Franchitti held off Buddy Rice after a late restart to win the inaugural Menards A.J. Foyt Indy 225 at The Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis. Rice finished second, followed by Sam Hornish.
Pole-sitter Vitor Meira was passed on the first lap by IndyCar series points leader Tony Kanaan, had a horrible first pit stop, and wound up fifth.
Franchitti's win was his first in the IRL after missing almost all of last season with a back injury. The Scot competed in just three races, two before he injured his back in a motorcycle crash and one before undergoing surgery.
His best IRL finish had been second June 12 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Franchitti started in seventh, but started moving up after his first pit stop under caution on Lap 42. He took his first lead on the 106th lap after passing Helio Castroneves.
Champ -- Defending Champ Car titleholder Paul Tracy vaulted himself back into championship contention by winning the
Rookie A.J. Allmendinger posted his first podium finish for upstart Rusport Racing, placing third.
