IndyCar Feature -Where Next For Triumphant Franchitti?
13/09/2007
Dario Franchitti celebrated his first IndyCar Series triumph in style on Tuesday night at Indianapolis. The Scotsman was the focus of attention at the end of season banquet at the Brickyard, for more reasons than just his championship and his Indy 500 win. There’s also the speculation of where he will race next season.
Franchitti was warmly received after one of the most incredible finishes to the championship – going into the final two corners of the 200 lap race, the title was Scott Dixon’s, but when the Ganassi driver ran out of fuel, Franchitti pounced, and won the race, and the million dollar prize.
“It was amazing,” said, having had two days to digest what he had done. “The championship means a lot.” said Franchitti, who earned an IndyCar Series-record $4,017,583 this season.
“It’s been kind of elusive. I’ve been over here in America for 10 years and I’ve won a lot of races, but to finally win the championship means a lot. I didn’t realize what it did mean until I crossed the finish line (Sunday). I’m just so happy. To do that and the 500 in one year, I’m really proud.
“I came so close to hitting Scott when he slowed at the end on Sunday on the last lap. I wonder what would have happened if I’d collected him? I guess it would have been like Talladega Nights,” he laughed. “We’d have ended up out of our cars running to the finish line!”
Dixon was gracious, and funny, in defeat. “I don’t know who of us could run faster, and in some ways glad we didn’t have to find out,” he said. “Sure I’m sad to lose, and we were so close to it, and it was a hard way to lose. But if I had to lose to anyone, Dario is the guy.”
“He is a supreme competitor, and did a great job all year, as did Andretti Green Racing. He’s hard and fair on the track, and fun to be with off it. A lot of other drivers could learn a lot from him.”
Franchitti’s amazing season included two scary flips in six days, both of which he was lucky to emerge from uninjured. As part of the banquet the IRL had suspended his car over the stage – upside down – which was not lost on the champion.
“I’m fed up seeing the car like that,” he joked, standing underneath it. “But at least all I have to do now is look up, and I can see all the sponsors I have to thank. I don’t need my notes!”
Among the many thank-yous, Franchitti picked out Honda and Firestone. “Both Honda engines and Firestone tyres are two things we never had to worry about this year. And that makes going racing so much easier."
"You can concentrate on the little things when you know you have that support behind you. And it’s concentrating on the little things that win championships.”
Naturally, rumours of Franchitti’s possible switch to NASCAR with Ganassi Racing were much to the fore, but he wouldn’t be drawn on the subject, only saying: “I’ve not decided yet. Right now I want to enjoy this season and the championship. I could stay in IndyCars, I could go to ALMS, I could go to NASCAR, and I could even retire. But now’s not the time to decide.”
And just when he thought he’s played down the switch to Ganassi, Dixon added… “Well you’ve been great to race against, and all I can say is ‘welcome to the team’!”