Apparently the rain was in his favor. The Scots' First Minister congratulated Franchitti and added that the "characteristically Scottish weather may have aided him to victory".

An added romantic touch to his victory: "Oblivious to the ongoing downpour, his wife, the Hollywood actress, Ashley Judd, walked to greet him barefooted and soaked through. The scene could easily have passed muster as the closing frames to one of her own films."