[Racer Duck]

In the past three IndyCar Series seasons, seven of Dan Wheldon's victories have been procured on 1.5-mile ovals. Will the Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver's coronation as "king of the speedways" be scheduled if he wins the season opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the fourth year in a row?

"I'm the king of the speedways?" Wheldon said incredulously. "I don't think the crown fits."

The 2005 IndyCar Series champion knows too well the twists and turns of competing -- and what it takes to contend -- on the high banks at 215-plus mph. Last year, Wheldon won at Homestead-Miami Speedway from the pole and at Kansas Speedway.

"The biggest thing is the whole package has to work for you," said Wheldon, who will defend his title March 29 under the lights at Homestead in the GAINSCO Auto Insurance Indy 300. "You have to have a fast car, you have to know what you need from the car to make it quick on a 1½-mile speedway and you have to like driving on them. That's always been the case for me; I've always gone very well on them."

Wheldon won the first and final races of the 2006 season and recorded three victories during his 2005 title season on the 1.5-mile tracks. If not victories, then top-three finishes are essential at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Twin Ring Motegi, Kansas Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway to be in contention for the series championship.

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