Franchitti wins at Long Beach

After an unsuccessful stint in the Sprint Cup Series, Dario Franchitti rose from the ashes and captured his first win with Target-Chip Ganassi Racing Sunday afternoon in Long Beach, California. Sunday's win was Franchitti's first since leaving for NASCAR and the first road/street course win of his career

Riding the momentum of his 2007 Championship season, Franchitti left for the bright lights and big bucks of NASCAR in '08 hoping to find success where other open-wheelers had not. However, a lack of sponsorship, the team's failure to make races, multiple DNF's, and his inconsistency to adapt to the heavier stock cars forced Ganassi-Sabates Racing to shut the 40 car down.

Franchitti resurfaced during the 2009 24-Hours of Daytona in which he and TCGR teammates captured the overall win for car owner Chip Ganassi. Sporting a new hair style and the famous Target colors, Franchitti came out of the gate strong and is currently the point-leader by 15 points over Will Power.

With the win on Sunday Franchitti was able to deliver a birthday gift to his wife/actress Ashley Judd and also win a friendly bet with fellow competitor Tony Kanaan. Kanaan now has to grow his hair out until he wins again. If and when Kanaan finds Victory Lane Franchitti will then have to cut his hair off thus ending the bet.

Will Power finished 2nd followed by Tony Kanaan, Danica Patrick and Dan Wheldon. Next up for the IRL is Kansas Speedway for the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300.