Injury doubt for Dario
Dario Franchitti may be forced to withdraw from today's IRL IndyCar Series season finale at the Texas Motor Speedway after he broke a bone in his left foot when he crashed during free practice yesterday (Saturday)
Franchitti's Andretti Green Racing Dallara-Honda spun and hit the SAFER barrier in turn two during the morning practice session. The Scot sustained a fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot, IRL medical officials said, but he has been cleared to drive in Sunday's Chevy 500k.
However, Franchitti and AGR officials said they weren't sure if he would compete in the race.
"It was a left-side hit, and I had my left foot on the clutch pedal," said Franchitti. "The impact on my body was minimal. We obviously have a problem with the pedals on the car. We've had it for many years. It caught me out. I caught the side of my foot on the clutch and broke a little bone."
Franchitti, who is battling to finish fifth in the final IndyCar Series standings, qualified ninth. AGR team-mate Dan Wheldon posted the fastest lap of the session at 215.817mph. Pole-winner Helio Castroneves was second-fastest in the practice session at 214.666mph.
Tomas Scheckter, who qualified second-fastest for Sunday's race but was sent to the back of the starting grid when IRL officials failed his car in a post-race technical inspection, had the fourth fastest lap in the session.
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