Franchittis set for Daytona
Dario Franchitti is the latest US-based single-seater star to target glory in the Daytona 24 Hours. The Andretti Green Racing IRL star is thought to be on the verge of signing a deal to race alongside his brother Marino in one of three Crawford Daytona Prototypes
According to this week's Autosport magazine the deal is expected to be secured in time for the Franchittis to try out one of the Pontiac-powered Grand-Am prototypes in this weekend's official pre-race test. The two Scottish brothers are likely to be joined by another AGR IRL star Dan Wheldon and Grand-Am race winner Milka Dunno in the car.
"Dario and I have always wanted to share a car together and we got onto it last year," said Marino. "I'm getting on a plane to go to Daytona this week, so fingers crossed that our names will be on the side of a car when we get there."
The two AGR stars will join an entry list that is one of the most star-studded in the history of the race. Both of Ganassi's IRL aces Scott Dixon and Darren Manning have signed on to race one of the team's Riley-Lexus Mk Xis, while Bryan Herta has teamed up with Buddy Rice in a works Pontiac-powered Doran.
It's not just IRL stars that have been drawn to the race either. Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle are among the NASCAR stars taking part. While from the world of Champ Cars, champion Sebastien Bourdais, his Newman-Haas team-mate Bruno Junqueira and ex-F1 driver Cristiano da Matta, as well as Paul Tracy and Michael Valiante are all rostered in to race in Florida.
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