Dario Franchitti stole the IndyCar series championship crown back off Scott Dixon after winning the season finale Indy 300 in Florida.

Franchitti travelled to the Homestead-Miami Speedway four points behind defending champion Dixon but underlined his title intentions after qualifying on pole.

The 36-year-old made no mistake in the race pitting at the right time to take the chequered flag first ahead of Ryan Briscoe in second and Dixon in third.

Franchitti – who had a troubled year in stock car racing last year before returning to IndyCar – finished nine points ahead of Dixon with 616 and the Scot admitted he surpassed all expectations this year.

“When I decided to come back I didn’t expect to do what I have done,” said Franchitti - who first won the IndyCar crown in 2007.

“My first goal was to try and compete with Scott, who I think is one of the very best, and I was able to do that.

“Every week Scott and Ryan are up there and if you want to win races of the championship you have to go through those two.

“And to beat those guys, it really makes me very proud to have managed to have achieved that.”