Race: da Matta rides into the sunset

In the end, it came down to a two-man race between Cristiano da Matta and Max Papis, who had just started their duel when Scott Dixon's crash brought out the yellow flag with four laps to go. Da Matta and Papis raced to the line, with the Brazilian holding off the Italian by 0.007 of a second. After four laps run under the yellow, the chequred flag flew after 220 of the scheduled 250 with da Matta claiming his third win of the season and a $1 million prize.

However, Team Rahal may protest the result because Papis was clearly in the lead when the yellow initially flew, though he lost the race to the line to da Matta.

"I knew I crossed the line ahead of him," da Matta exclaimed in victory circle. "I know it was close, but I was definitely ahead. It's awesome - just great. My team won here last year [with Christian Fittipaldi], so I know what kind of Christmas and New Years the guys are used to."

Could da Matta have held on had the race run green to the finish? "I almost had enough speed to break away at the end by myself," he said. "Only Max was barely able to hang on. It's a shame the yellow came out, but that's racing. So I'm glad I don't have to answer that question."

The race unofficially featured a CART-record 74 lead changes, one off the all-time record of 75 in the NASCAR race at Talledega in 1984. Papis unofficially led more laps than anyone, as he has over the last five superspeedway races. But the late yellow prevented him from having a fair shot at the win.

Pole man Alex Tagliani was content to bide his time throughout the 440-mile race, but the Dixon yellow also prevented him from making a late run for the win. He finished third, heading Bruno Junqueira, Tony Kanaan, Gil de Ferran and Michael Andretti.

Attrition was not as big a factor as it was a year ago at California Speedway, when only six cars finished. Sixteen cars were running at the end Sunday, with all but one on the lead lap. Engine failure eliminated several top contenders, including Helio Castroneves, Dario Franchitti, Paul Tracy and Roberto Moreno, while CART oval master Kenny Brack crashed early in the race.

Andretti's seventh place finish clinched third in the championship standings for the American behind de Ferran and Brack. Castroneves wound up fourth overall.

For full race results, click here.

For the complete championship standings, click here.