There were two key factors that came into play during Sunday's two big races: weather and whether.

Dario Franchitti won the Indy 500 when the rains came, causing track officials to call the race after 166 laps, or 415 of the required 500 miles, were in the record books.

Franchetti opted to stay on the track when the leaders pitted for fuel, knowing that a weather front was moving into the Indianapolis area. The gamble paid off.

Casey Mears didn't have a weather factor to consider in winning the Coca Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. His decision was whether to follow the leaders into the pits to take on a splash of fuel late in the race. Mears stayed on the track, took the lead and went on to win the race.

Another set of drivers followed Mears' lead and opted not to stop for fuel. J.J. Yeley finished second, Kyle Petty third, Reed Sorenson fourth and Brian Vickers fifth. Tony Stewart, who had been the race leader, finished sixth.

Sunday was a super day for all race fans with the running of the Indy 500 and the Coca Cola 600.

Jeff Gordon was knocked out of the Coca Cola 600 early in the race when his car was involved in a crash. Despite the early exit, Gordon still leads the points chase. Jimmie Johnson is second, 132 points back, with Matt Kenseth third, 207 behind Gordon.

The Nextel Cup Series is scheduled for the Dover International Speedway in Delaware at 1 p.m. Sunday for the running of the Autism Speaks 400 presented by Visa.

Not too many fans who attend the Friday night races have ever seen a driver come from the back of the starting grid in a feature race to win the event.Late Model driver Alex Ferree was forced to start at the rear of the feature race based on his three consecutive victories. It's a track rule.Never mind track position, Ferree put on a clinic, passing nineteen cars to claim yet another victory. Young Alex donated $1,200 of the winner's purse to Racers for Tots.It doesn't matter where Ed Lynch Jr. starts a feature race. He started 11th in the Sprint feature, passed leader Brent Matus on the eighth lap and went on to claim the win.The Modified Tour '07, Late Models and Pure Stocks are on the program Friday night at the Action Track.On Tuesday, the All-Star Circuit of Champion Sprints and UMP Modifieds will be featured.

• Mercer Raceway Park was forced to cancel the Saturday night race card when rain hit the track shortly before 5 p.m. A regular show and two make-up features will be on tap Saturday evening.• Seven different drivers reached victory lane at Sharon Speedway Saturday night. Ed Lynch Jr. and Bob Felmlee won the two Sprint features. Lynch won a makeup feature that fell to the weather last week. Dwayne Clay (Pure Stocks), Jeff Sharp (E-Mods), Guy Griffin (Limited Sprints) and Del Rougeux (V-8 Modifieds) each won their respective feature races. Sharon Speedway will host the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Friday night. Tickets are priced at $25 for adults, $5 for youngsters.• Rod George picked up a Sprint feature win at Tri-City Sunday. Russ King won the Dick Rankin Memorial BRP Modified Tour A-Main. Russ Dunn of Fenelton came home the winner in the E-Mod main event.Jim Lokhaiser is the racing columnist for the Butler Eagle.