Franchitti set to defend title at Sonoma

SONOMA, Calif. (AP) - Dario Franchitti is at the peak of his driving prowess, a second Indianapolis 500 victory still in his rearview mirror and another IndyCar Series title within reach.

Confident and seemingly always in control, Franchitti is 41 points behind series leader Will Power after winning at Mid-Ohio two weeks ago. That puts him in good position with this weekend's race at Infineon Raceway, where he's the defending champion, and four ovals left on the schedule.

Franchitti also has, at just 37, become a sort of an elder statesman for the series, a driver whom the others look to when something on the track or the series needs to be addressed.