"I had so much luck last year in IndyCar that I really felt at times I couldn't do anything wrong. I guess luck has a way of balancing out...I'll have to have a long, hard thought process about getting back in an Indy car because, like I've said, I loved my time there. I really enjoyed it, but I was ready at the end of last year to do something else. But never say never. I might decide I want to do it again, but I really don't know right now." - Dario Franchitti, who is clearly shocked and frustrated, and now less-than-subtly asking someone to please throw him a rope.
This Could Be a Real Shot in the Arm
-
Nowadays, whenever I discuss IndyCar marketing – I do so with caution.
After writing a post last summer that called into question some of the
marketing eff...
1 day ago
Hmmmm....well don't expect it to be the Chipster....throwing that Target car line I mean....
I'm thinking that right now, about the only ride Dario can get is from Ashley Judd.
(rimshot) :^P
On a serious note, my favorite part of the story:
Ganassi shut down the No. 40 operation because he was unable to find a primary sponsor for it, and said that he couldn't justify continuing to fund it without one. Ganassi said he had become concerned that to do so would have possibly jeopardized operation of the other two Cup cars he fields -- the No. 42 driven by Juan Montoya and the No. 41 driven by Reed Sorenson.
Wait, The Chipster has changed chief mechanics on Whine Pablum more times than sets of tires in a 500 miler (He's on Crew Chief #3 this year, IIRC), and he's worried that running Dario's team out of pocket is going to negatively impact JPM?!?
Boy, Chip must have looked at Marty Roth's notes on how to run a race team and applied them to his N-word operation.
It's interesting that the longer the "Where's Dario?" saga goes on, the less firm his remarks get regarding ever driving an Indycar again. I wonder if the expected addition of more road racing has him reconsidering. It might make Ashley feel better too, if she really was a driving force in the move. Just a thought. I think Dario back in the car next year is more likely than this year.
Maybe Dario can stay busy delivering groceries to Winona I'm sure thats a full time gig!
sounds like someone is having trouble finding work.. this quoute is a long way from not wanting to come back...sounds like vision is gonna end up being a 4 car team with having to add PT and now Dario..
If Dario did come back to IndyCar, why would he go to Vision when Ganassi already offered him an IndyCare ride with him?
If Dario doesn't want to run full-time, just run the road/street courses plus Indy.
I don't see TCGR going to a 3 car team...(or a 4 car team since they'll have to do something at some pt with Alex LLoyd) I sooner see Vision expanding why mess with what is going to be a championship season and apparently good chemestry between Weldon and Dixon
This is starting to remind me of Paul Tracy holding out for a quality ride. Then a month goes buy and he's chatting up anyone with a Dallara. Every week Dale Coyne Racing looks better and better to Dario.
Except that according to Felix Sabates (so-owner of Ganassi's NASCAR operation), Chip told Dario there is an Indycar ride waiting for him right now, if he wants it.
Heresay, I know, but it seems like pretty reliable heresay.
I don't believe, after Dario's two mishaps toward the end of last year, that Mrs. Franchitti is inclined to let Dario come out and play on the ICS.
Granted, only one was a case of his personal brain fade, but that was probably enough to keep everyone on an egg shell or two.
IF TCGR can land him, it would be impetus enough to consider a three car team in IndyCar, if only because he can add more luster to an already brilliant team.
I just can't see Dario taking a ride with Vision or another mid-pack team. He doesn't need the money, and frankly I can't imagine that he'd have any desire to return to a lesser ride after he left the IRL in such a blaze of glory.
I agree that a Dixon/Wheldon/Franchitti team would be fantastic. Quite the collection of brilliant racing minds.
AGR has always had a 5th chassis and team in place for the 500, which means that they had both equipment and crew. However, after the mergification, they may have donated the extra chassis. Theoretically, they should still have access to the necessary crew members. However, I would rather see any extra equipment and manpower go to Paul Tracy. Dario left IndyCar. Paul never "left", he just didn't get the right deal. Plus, a NAPCAR driver losing his ride and coming to IndyCar simply makes the IRL look like a 2nd rate option (which is most certainly is not).
Dario is like the ex-fiancé that left you for some redneck with a '72 Camaro and a double wide. Then after 8 months she starts to realize what she's missing and pretty soon she's calling you late at night going "it didn't work out, pleeeease take me back". But that's when you say "look honey, I've got a whole new lineup of girls (ex-Champ Car drivers) and I really don't want you back".