Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti has paid tribute to engine manufacturer Honda for the technical step that it was able to take between qualifying last week and Sunday's race.
Franchitti and Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon qualified in the middle of the field on a grid where rival Chevrolet had locked out nine of the top 10 places. But the Scot, who became the 10th third-time winner of the race with his victory, said that he was surprised by the extent to which Honda had managed to turn things around.
"You know how upset I was on qualifying day," Franchitti said. "I was angry. I thought we'd be quick, and we weren't. I think I was fairly honest and clear about being upset with it.
"The Honda guys have worked hard since before the start of the season, but they've been playing catch-up. The turnaround from Sunday to Carb Day, it was very impressive.
"When we're up against Chevy and Ilmor, who are smart people, what they did today, beating them... the turnaround from last week is something very special."