Dixon wins IRL race in Tennessee

LEBANON, Tenn., July 15 (UPI) -- Scott Dixon Sunday beat out Dario Franchitti to win the Firestone Indy 200 IRL auto race at Lebanon, Tenn.

Dixon, a member of Chip Ganassi Racing, crossed the finish line 2.2400 seconds ahead of Indy 500 winner Franchitti to defend his title at the race.

He has won the last two IRL events, and has eight wins in his IndyCar career.

Rain Saturday night forced the first postponement of an IRL race since June 2000 at the Texas Motor Speedway.

Dixon led the field to the green flag to start the 200-lap race, but it didn't take long for Franchitti, the points leader, to grab the first spot.

After pit stops, Franchitti led Dixon, Dan Wheldon, Helio Castroneves and Danica Patrick during a restart at lap 42.

Patrick, Sam Hornish Jr. and Marco Andretti completed the top-five.

The next IRL race is the Honda 200, July 22 at Lexington, Ohio.