Andretti, 19, becomes youngest winner of major open-wheel race

SONOMA, Calif. -- Marco Andretti gambled on fuel Sunday and became the youngest winner of a major open-wheel event, beating Dario Franchitti by 0.66 seconds to take the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma.

While most of the field pitted on lap 51 of the 80-lap IndyCar Series race, Andretti stayed out to take the lead, then stretched his fuel for the final 30 laps to take the checkered flag in the next-to-last race of the season.

The 19-year-old Andretti said it was a bigger thrill than finishing second this year in the Indianapolis 500. The previous youngest open-wheel winner was Scott Dixon at 20.

"This was a win," he said. "The guys were just brilliant in the pits."

Andretti won in front of his father, Michael, co-owner of Andretti Green Racing, and his famous grandfather, Mario, winner of the 1969 Indy 500.

Michael Andretti told his son to conserve fuel in the final 10 laps, even when Franchitti got around Tony Kanaan and began closing in.

"I knew he was coming," Andretti said. "It was the toughest thing I had to do -- go fast and try to save fuel."

Vitor Meira finished third, 10.65 seconds behind the winner, followed by Dixon and Helio Castroneves.