Lucky No. 8?

More than half of the IZOD IndyCar Series points champions who have won the eighth race in the series schedule have gone on to win the series championship.

Guess where the Iowa Corn 250 falls again this year. Yep, No. 8. We could be seeing the eventual series champ take home the unique gas-pump style trophy from Iowa Speedway. I'm sure the winner of Sunday's race hopes that trend continues.

Seven times a driver won the eighth race and the season title. Dario Franchitti was the last to do it in 2007, winning the inaugural Iowa Corn 250 and the season championship. In 2009, he won the points title again after winning at Newton, however, it was seventh on the 2009 schedule.

Sam Hornish Jr. is the only racer to accomplish the feat twice, winning the eighth race and points championship in 2002 and 2006. Others include Tony Kanaan (2004), Buddy Lazier (200), Greg Ray (1999) and Kenny Brack (1998).