How does the 2013 IRL championship stack up against your previous two wins in 2003 and 2008?
This one feels sweeter. It’s hard to beat 2008, because I got married in February, won the Indy 500 in May and won the championship. But with all the ups and downs we had this year, it feels really good. It feels like they’re going to come take it away at some point. (laughs) As a team, we didn’t start strong. We had some development issues that we had to iron out, but it was a real all-around team effort to get back to where we were.
Is it more rewarding to win when you ride those ups and downs out and come out on top?
Definitely. When we started the season, we qualified 20th at St. Pete, that was our first race. It was really uncharacteristic of our team. At each race with Team Target, you know you have a great chance to win. It was a real wake up call. We went through preseason testing thinking, “OK, the car is pretty strong.” And then reality struck pretty hard. The problem with Indy Car racing in today’s world is that you have six in-season testing days so it takes a while to iron out issues. When I first joined Team Target in 2002, we did almost 60 test days. That’s what makes it so hard for young talent to come through in our sport. You don’t get that adjustment period anymore.
Going into the last race this year, knowing you had a chance at the title, is it hard not to think about crashing and things outside of your control?
With two weeks to go, Helio Castroneves had a 45-point lead and then he comes out of two races 29 points behind. To have two races that ended that badly, a 74-point swing in one weekend is a nightmare for any driver. So going into that last race, all these things are going through your mind. We could have a mechanical problem. We could have a penalty of some sort. It’s a track that Penske locked up all three top spots in qualifying. It’s a difficult track. And then you can have the crazy issue like Helio had at the two races in Houston this year. Unfortunately, you can’t help but think of the worst.
This was your first IRL Championship as a dad. What was that like?
It’s fun! Unfortunately the kids weren’t there. Toronto was special to me this year. I had never had a win there, so to have all the family there and to win both races that weekend, it was incredible. The cool thing about having the kids is that when you have a bad weekend, you go home and it just doesn’t matter.
At age 33, you already have three championships and 33 wins on your resume. Do you allow yourself to think about some of the great names you are passing on the all-time wins list?
This year, I made it to seventh all-time on the list. To have Foyt, the Andrettis, the Unsers on the list in front of you, as a kid they were the legends of the sport, so to be trailing them is pretty cool. I think stats are something you reflect on when you’re done racing, not while you are doing it
Besides your achievements, what are you most proud of as a driver.
Next year is my 13th year with Ganassi Racing and Team Target. It will also be the 25th year that Target has been sponsoring Ganassi Racing. That kind of stability and continuity is every driver’s dream. As a driver, you know how hard it is to come by. Between Chip’s racing background and Target’s support, it’s been incredible, and I’m very proud of that.
Is there anything left that you would like to accomplish?
More Indy 500s? (laughs) The goal every year is to win the 500 and the championship. Later in my career, there are some things I would love to try—the Bathurst 1000 in Australia, I’d love to try Le Mans. There are a few things I wouldn’t mind havin
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