Frustrated Wheldon to focus on title

The Ganassi driver had been the pre-race favourite after coming close to a clean sweep of victories in the first three oval rounds of the 2007 series, and said in the build-up to the event that he was determined to earn a second Indy win.

But he did not feature in the lead battle at Indianapolis and was eventually classified 22nd after a late incident with Marco Andretti that ended with the American rolling across the track.

"It's very disappointing for me and for the Target team," said Wheldon.

"I was running on the outside of him. Unfortunately, he hit me. Thank goodness he's all right.

"It didn't seem anything we did today worked very well for us. It was just one of those days when we couldn't seem to do anything right. We were definitely trying hard. It's just unfortunate day for us. I'm very disappointed. That's the way this place works sometimes.

"I wanted to win the Indianapolis 500, but now we'll focus on the championship. We have Milwaukee coming up. Thankfully that's coming up pretty soon so we can just move on."

Wheldon had a 27-point advantage prior to the Indy 500, but is now a point behind his teammate Scott Dixon, who finished second in the race.

Indy winner Dario Franchitti has moved up to third in the standings, three points adrift of Dixon.