Franchitti fifth on Nationwide return

The Scot led the race from pole position and for the first thirteen laps, fending off reigning Sprint Cup series champion Jimmie Johnson. On the first caution period he pitted for fuel and tyres handing the lead as others stayed out led by Kyle Busch.

He would later regain the lead on lap 43 and for a further four laps before he pitted for fuel for the last time. His last stop unfortunately came just a lap before the fifth caution of the day, losing him track position and probably the chance of a fighting for victory.

"It's just one of those deals with the way the cautions fell," Franchitti said. "We were at the other side of the track when the caution fell and the 59 (Ambrose), that really helped him with track position and he did a good job.

"We kind of got back in the traffic a little and I was open for a green-white-chequered because we had a lot of fuel still in the car. It didn't happen. The top five is OK but I really felt with the pole today and the way the car was that we had a car capable of winning today."

Franchitti was clearly able to keep Johnson at bay at the beginning of the race but would later lose position to him in the traffic. He claims his car's balance was not as good while running in the pack relative to when he was able to dictate the pace at the front of the field.

"The car was really good in clean air," said Franchitti. "It was a little bit tight going into the corner but would go loose off, up in traffic. It was clean air. I think it would've been no problem but the way the yellows fell we got back in the pack and that was it.

"You get close to that top-five cars and there wasn't really a big enough difference to make a move. You had to wait for someone to make a mistake. The restarts were really interesting though, especially that last one with those guys that hadn't pitted.

"We were passing on the grass, all kinds of stuff. It was really interesting."

Franchitti will be back in the Nationwide series next week at Michigan and then at Bristol before handing his drive to Bryan Clauson. He will then return at Richmond next month.