Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Franchitti confirmed at Ganassi

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates have confirmed that they have signed reigning Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series Champion Dario Franchitti on a multi-year deal to drive in the 2008 Sprint Cup Series

When he starts the Daytona 500 in February next year, he will become the first European driver in the 59-year history of NASCAR to join the series full time.

He will drive the No. 40 Dodge Avenger, joining former Champ Car title rival Juan Pablo Montoya and Reed Sorenson in the same organisation.

"Any time you can sign a driver of Dario's calibre you have to be thrilled," said team owner Chip Ganassi.

"Dario is a world-class driver. He is a proven winner, an Indianapolis 500 champion and an accomplished individual that will be a super teammate to both Juan Pablo and Reed."

By signing Franchitti, Chip Ganassi now has three Indy 500 champions driving for him. Franchitti is the most recent winner of the event, while Dan Wheldon, who races for the team in the IndyCar Series, won in 2005, and Juan Pablo Montoya took victory on his debut in 2000.

Franchitti will now embark on a similar program to the one Juan Pablo Montoya kicked off a year ago to get up to speed for his Nextel Cup debut.

On Thursday the Scot will attempt to qualify the No. 42 Target Dodge for Friday's ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway.

The 34-year-old will be racing next year for the Sprint Cup Raybestos Rookie of the Year, while competing in a number of Busch Series races as well.

"I've always admired Chip's teams having competed against them over the years, and recently paid particular attention to Juan's successful transition this season," Franchitti said. "This is a great opportunity to join one of NASCAR's premier teams."

Franchitti is one of at least four open-wheel drivers recently moving to NASCAR. Formula One World champion Jacques Villeneuve will try to make his Nextel Cup debut at Talladega this weekend, as well as IRL rival Sam Hornish Jr, while former Formula One driver Scott Speed will probably race against Franchitti in the ARCA race this Friday.

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Harvick no fan of Villeneuve debut
Next article Busch series gets new sponsor

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe