Dario Franchitti said two awful pit stops cost him victory in the Cart FedEx Championship race in Chicago.

The Team Kool Green driver started on pole position and took a commanding lead in the early stages of Sunday's race only to drop down the field at his first stop.

Then the Scotsman lost more ground after his second stop.

He recovered, but could only finish third behind winner - and championship leader - Cristiano da Matta and second placed Bruno Junqueira.

He said: "I'm not happy with our pit stops.

"They weren't good enough and guys don't make mistakes on purpose, but it's not good enough.

"My car was fantastic today and, unfortunately, we wasted it.

"We need to get our pit stops sorted out. Like I said, my car was phenomenal, but you can't have problems like we did and win.

"It's just too close, too competitive."

Franchitti was not the only man suffering with pit problems.

Both Christian Fittipaldi and Scott Dixon suffered scares when rear wheels fell off immediately after their stops.