NASCAR ace Gordon to replace Franchitti

Gordon will drive the No. 27 Alpine/Archipelago/Motorola Dallara-Honda in the Indianapolis 500 on May 25 and then fly to Charlotte, North Carolina, to drive the No. 31 Cingular Wireless entry for Richard Childress Racing that evening in the NASCAR Winston Cup Coca-Cola 600.

Gordon has eight career Indianapolis 500 starts and has attempted the 'daily double' between Indy and Charlotte three times in 1997, 2000 and 2002.

"I'm thrilled to have the chance to attempt one of the ultimate racing challenges again this year and hopefully win both races," Gordon said. "I've run the Indy 500 eight times and been competitive and run near the front each year. I certainly haven't given up on the goal of winning both races and hope 2003 will be my year to do it. Running in an Andretti Green-prepared car will no doubt give me a good shot at having one win down and one to go when I head to Charlotte that afternoon."

Franchitti suffered a back fracture in a motorcycle accident April 4 in Edinburgh, Scotland, which has forced him to miss the Indianapolis 500.