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Franchitti set for return to open-wheel racing

By SceneDaily Staff

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Article Rating: 4.0
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Jerry Markland / Getty Images

Jerry Markland / Getty Images

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Dario Franchitti is returning to the IndyCar Series with Chip Ganassi Racing, according to a team release.
   
Franchitti will join Scott Dixon on the team and will drive the No. 10 target-sponsored car. He started this season as a NASCAR rookie, but his Sprint Cup team shut down because of lack of sponsorship in July. He has driven a partial schedule in the Nationwide Series since that time.
   
“It is going to be very exciting to have Dario in one of our IndyCars next year," team owner Chip Ganassi said. "I have always admired his competitive spirit when he raced against us and have really grown to see more of what he is about this season while he raced in NASCAR. When there was a possibility of an opening on our IndyCar team, the only person I thought about was Dario. This is going to be a great move for Dario and for our team."
   
The 2007 Indy Racing League champion described this as an opportunity he couldn't pass up, though he did say he had not closed the door on possibly racing in stock cars more.
   
“Part of the reason that I signed with Ganassi last year was because of how many options that Chip has at his disposal for a driver," he said. "You can do almost any form of racing that you want. With unification and the new schedule having more road and street courses it made me think about this more and more. I have really enjoyed this last season in stock cars and have not completely closed that chapter of my professional career, but the opportunity that arose was just something I could not pass up. I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of one of those Target cars and be a teammate to Scott Dixon. 
   
"Target is a tremendous sponsor and they and Chip always give you everything you need to win.”

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Comments

9 responses to "Franchitti set for return to open-wheel racing"
  1. 1
    beth emerson said:
    Sep 2, 2008 at 2:21 PM

    Not surprised st all. None of the open wheelers are any good. The only reason Montoya has his wins is cuz he spun out his own teamate. I say let them stay where they are. They have enough young guys coming up through the ranks.

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  2. 2
    Jimmy Rouse said:
    Sep 2, 2008 at 3:25 PM

    what about Wheldon?

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  3. 3
    Richard Clower said:
    Sep 2, 2008 at 5:19 PM

    I'm with you Beth. But Chip just doesn't have any loyalty to his drivers. I haven't heard the whole story about Wheldon, but he is a quality open wheeler that probably got tired of CGR.

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  4. 4
    Lisa Shaver-Steingart said:
    Sep 2, 2008 at 6:52 PM

    Also with you Beth, Ganassi has NO loyalty to his drivers. Let us not forget Sterling Marlin . . .

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  5. 5
    Robert Wingert said:
    Sep 3, 2008 at 5:34 AM

    If anyone should leave Nascar it should be Ganassi himself.

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  6. 6
    chris welch said:
    Sep 3, 2008 at 7:38 AM

    the open wheelers that came in to nascar this year were just too old to learn a new discipline of racing against some of the best competition in the world.

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  7. 7
    Scott Baker said:
    Sep 3, 2008 at 2:48 PM

    Just shows how important the Busch series is. Yes, I called it Busch, this series gives drivers the chance to learn and explore their rides with less intensity. Making them less prone to causing crazy accidents in Cup racing. This year has been a great example of the fact that you can't simply hop in a cup car and compete. Look at how bad all the open wheel racers are, Carpentier, Hornish, Montoyo, and Franchitti. You still have to LEARN.

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  8. 8
    Marvin Noel said:
    Sep 3, 2008 at 4:19 PM

    Guess I'll get toi be the odd one. I would like to see all of the open wheel guys stay in NASCAR. I think they have all pretty much shown that they are racers, depending on the equipment they are given. Yes, they have to learn a new discipline, and are (or were) showing promise. They all seem to like it and want to stay. These guys were all competitive in open wheel and want to be competitive in NASCAR. It can only make NASCAR better and more competitive. Everybody forget where Tony, Jeff, Jimmy and Robbie came from? I wish they could all still do the double on Memorial Day.

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  9. 9
    Gladys Bedwell said:
    Sep 3, 2008 at 6:28 PM

    I think it is sad that Dario is gone. He really didn't even have a chance. I agree with Scott. Instead of drivers going straight to the Sprint Cup they should run at least one season in Nationwide.

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