INDYCAR (LEXINGTON) - SERIES NOTES

1. Hornish returns to Mid-Ohio

2. Franchitti, Dixon top Speed Channel Driver Rankings

1. Hornish returns to Mid-Ohio: Growing up, Sam Hornish Jr. and his father would drive the 90 or so miles from Defiance to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course to watch practice and qualifying for the annual Indy car event. "Sat right across from pit road," the three-time IndyCar series champion said. "I was too little to see over everyone else, so I sat on the top of the fence pole all day long watching the cars go by and thinking how cool that would be to someday drive there." Hornish will join the illustrious list of drivers who have competed in an Indy car racing car on the 2.258-mile road course when the No. 6 Team Penske Dallara/Honda/Firestone lines up July 22 for the inaugural Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance. "I'm looking forward to heading to Mid-Ohio as I think we've got a great opportunity ahead of us after that second-place finish at Watkins Glen," said Hornish, who posted a career-best road/street course result on the 3.37-mile natural-terrain circuit July 8. Hornish has competed at Mid-Ohio before, but the equipment was considerably different. "I ran a go-kart here four or five years after (that qualifying day visit)," he said. "Did a race in October, and it was pouring rain all day. It was probably one of the worst experiences I've had in a car as far as being cold. I think I had pneumonia after that. "Then I ran Formula Fords and Toyota Atlantic. It's always nice to come back. It's only a couple of hours from home. It's a fun little track."

2. Franchitti, Dixon top Speed Channel Driver Rankings: IndyCar Series frontrunners Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon top the most recent Speed Channel Driver Rankings. Franchitti, the IndyCar Series points leader, moved to the top of the rankings after being ranked third in the last poll, while Dixon, who has won the last two IndyCar Series events, is third – just behind Formula One points leader Lewis Hamilton. The rankings are based on current year results, last 10 races, last five races and last race factored in equally, with an adjustment factor to compensate for the series different scoring systems. In addition, a competition difficulty factor has been included to balance the competitive depth of each series. *** The next IndyCar Series event is the Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance at 1:30 p.m. on July 22 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The race will be televised live by ABC and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network. The next Indy Pro Series event is the Mid-Ohio 100 on July 22 at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. The race will be telecast at 5:30 p.m. on July 26. ESPN2’s coverage of the Sunbelt Rentals 100 will be televised by ESPN2 at 5 p.m. on July 18.