Tagliani to stand in for Franchitti at Fontana IndyCar finale
Alex Tagliani has been given the call-up by Ganassi to substitute for the injured Dario Franchitti at next week's IndyCar finale at Fontana
Franchitti was ruled out of the race after suffering fractures to his spine and ankle and a concussion in a last-lap accident in Houston last Sunday.
Tagliani has been available since standing down from his ride with Bryan Herta Autosport prior to Mid-Ohio.
"As a driver you never want an opportunity like this to come under these circumstances, but I'm up for the challenge and looking forward to working with my friend Scott [Dixon] and the whole Target team," said Tagliani.
"I'm thinking of Dario as everyone else is, and wishing him a quick recovery. This team has a championship on the line and I'm ready to step in and help them win it."
Dixon goes into Fontana with a 25-point lead over championship rival Helio Castroneves.
Team boss Chip Ganassi said that Tagliani's experience made the Canadian a logical choice to support Dixon's title bid.
"Obviously the situation is not ideal with Dario being unable to compete in Fontana," Ganassi said.
"As we look to the season finale we needed a driver with experience and the ability to step in and get the job done in the #10 car, and Alex was a logical choice for us."
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