Four remain eligible for IndyCar Series title

With three races remaining in the battle for the 2008 IndyCar Series championship, four drivers are mathematically eligible to win. Scott Dixon, Helio Castroneves, Dan Wheldon and Tony Kanaan remain in contention for the title as the series prepares for the PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County Aug. 24 at Infineon Raceway.

Dixon, who leads all drivers with 558 points, has a 78-point lead over Castroneves. Dixon has held the points lead after 11 of 14 races this season, and has held it consecutively since winning the 92nd Indianapolis 500 in May. The 2003 IndyCar Series champion has logged a record-tying six victories, and along with Castroneves, is the only driver with 12 top-five finishes.

Castroneves has stayed a close second behind Dixon since Indianapolis. Castroneves, who led the points for three races in April, has finished second seven times this season but has yet to find victory lane.

Wheldon, 138 points back, and Kanaan, 147 points back are on the brink of elimination. Kanaan, the 2004 series champion, will see his hopes for a second series championship end once Dixon takes the green flag to start the race at Infineon. Wheldon, the 2005 series champion, must win his third race of the season and have Dixon finish 13th or worse to remain alive.

That brings the battle down to Dixon and Castroneves for the championship. Although no IndyCar Series driver has clinched the championship in the third-to-last race of the season, it is possible for Dixon to do so if he extends his lead to 106 points. Several scenarios present that opportunity.