WHAT A SEASON FOR ANDRETTI GREEN.

Byline: TIM HADDOCK Motor Sports

Andretti Green Racing drivers are first, third, fourth and seventh in the Indy Racing League standings. With five races to go, they have a legitimate shot to finish 1-2-3-4.

Not that taking the top four spots in the IRL championship was a goal at the beginning of the season.

Valencia's Bryan Herta, driver of the No. 7 Honda-powered entry for Andretti Green, said the team set some lofty goals, but sweeping the top four spots was not one of them.

``That's amazing, but that's in the realm of possibility,'' said Herta, a Hart High graduate. ``At this point, that's a great goal for us.''

The Andretti Green Racing drivers - Dan Wheldon, Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanaan and Herta - have accomplished most of the goals they set.

Each driver has won a race - Wheldon four, the other three one apiece. There was a 1-2-3-4 finish at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in Florida. A team member - Wheldon - won the Indianapolis 500 last May.

``Really, trying to go 1-2-3-4, that's more than we could've possibly dreamed of before the season started,'' Herta said. ``With the races we have left, it's a possibility.''

Wheldon holds a 90-point lead in the IRL standings over Team Penske's Sam Hornish Jr. Kanaan is third, followed by Franchitti and Scott Sharp.

Wheldon looks to be on his way to the IRL championship, which would be the second in a row for Andretti Green. Kanaan won last year.

``Dan came out of the blocks so strong,'' Herta said. ``He put himself in such a strong position, and really, from Indy on, he's kind of held a similar-size lead.''

Wheldon won four of the first five races of the year but hasn't had a victory since the Indianapolis 500, seven races ago.

``He hasn't really pulled out his lead,'' Herta said. ``He's maintained it. That's what he needs to keep doing. He needs to keep finishing.''

It might be too early to declare Wheldon the IRL champion, but Herta is optimistic.

``I definitely don't think he can breeze easy,'' Herta said, ``but he's definitely in a good position right now.''

Herta's championship chances are slim. He is seventh in points, 152 behind Wheldon.

``I've got a long way to go,'' Herta said. ``It's probably not realistic for me at this point. I'm not giving up on it, certainly. I've seen crazy things happen in racing.''

--Irwindale Speedway: Newhall's Travis Thirkettle will be going for his third consecutive win in the NASCAR Late Models division tonight at Irwindale Speedway.

Thirkettle has won three of the past four Late Model races, and he is in third place in the division standings.

He trails division leader Tim Huddleston of Agoura Hills by 142 points. Mike Johnson of Covina is second, 96 points behind Huddleston.

The West Coast Pro Trucks, Dodge Super Trucks, Legend Cars and figure 8s also are scheduled to race tonight.

Canyon Country's Cory Fancy is leading the Dodge Super Trucks standings. He has won three races and holds a 42-point lead over Ron Peterson of Riverside.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Races start at 6.

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