Grand Re-Opening: Dario Franchitti Heading Back To IndyCar

Franchitti (r) To Return To IndyCar Series In '09, Replace Wheldon On Ganassi's Team

Target Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) yesterday said that NASCAR driver Dario Franchitti will return to the IndyCar Series in '09, replacing driver Dan Wheldon in CGR's open-wheel lineup, according to John Oreovicz of ESPN.com. Franchitti was "thought to have the inside track" for CGR's No. 41 Sprint Cup Series entry for '09, but he "elected to come back to the unified IndyCar Series." Franchitti: "Part of the reason that I signed with Ganassi last year was because of how many options that [CGR Owner Chip Ganassi] has at his disposal for a driver. ... The opportunity that arose was just something I could not pass up" (ESPN.com, 9/2). Franchitti, who drove in CART and IRL from '97-'07, said he had "absolutely no regrets" about driving in NASCAR this season. CGR VP/Marketing & Communications John Olguin said that CGR signed Franchitti for the IndyCar Series after the team was "unable to reach a contract extension with Wheldon" (L.A. TIMES, 9/3).

CHANGING LANES: Panther Racing yesterday announced it has signed Wheldon to a multi-year deal to drive the team's No. 4 IndyCar Series entry. Wheldon made his IRL debut in '02 with Panther (Panther Racing). IRL driver Vetor Meira, who currently drives the No. 4 entry, said that Panther officials sent him an e-mail Monday "to say his contract wouldn't be renewed" for the car, which he has driven since the '04 season. Meira said that "returning to Panther in a second car is a possibility, depending on sponsorship." However, Panther officials said that they are "also pursuing options with either" former F1 driver Anthony Davidson or GP2 Series driver Mike Conway for next season (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/30).