Report: Franchitti to Fill in for da Matta
Quote selected text Published September 1st, 2006 in MainThe Indy Racing League season ends next weekend at Chicago but Dario Franchitti’s will be extended into November.
SPEED has learned (and reported by Nicole Manske earlier on SPEED) Rip that Franchitti is set to replace the injured Cristiano da Matta in the No. 10 RuSport ride for the final three Champ Car races of 2006.
“Our intent is to run the #10 car in the last three races but nothing is done at this time,” responded RuSport owner Carl Russo on Thursday when asked if he’d signed Franchitti.
“Obviously, our first concern was Cristiano and he’s making great progress. Now we’ll focus on trying to help Justin (Wilson) finish first, second or third in the championship and do the best job we can in supporting him.”
Currently wheeling the Jim Beam entry in the IRL, Franchitti’s contract with Andretti/Green Racing expires when the checkered flag falls at Chicagoland Speedway on Sept. 10.
That would make him eligible to run Elklhart Lake (Sept. 24), Surfer’s Paradise, Australia (Oct. 22) and Mexico City (Nov. 12). Franchitti scored his initial CART win at Elkhart Lake in 1998 and won from the pole at Australia in 1999.
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does this mean Dario is back in Champ cars now and leaving irl?
Rumors are Dario is contemplating moving to CC with PKV but nothing is confirmed at this point.