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18 Nov 2003, 20:26 (Ref:787553) | #1 | ||
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Franchitti Stays at AGR
From ESPN RPM:
INDIANAPOLIS -- Dario Franchitti will return to Andretti Green Racing to drive the No. 27 Dallara/Honda/Firestone in the 2004 IRL IndyCar Series season, AGR officials announced on Tuesday. Franchitti, who finished second in the 1999 CART championship, competed in just three IRL events in 2003 due to a back injury sustained in a motorcycle accident in April in his native Scotland. "Andretti Green Racing is really looking forward to having Dario back full-time next season," said Michael Andretti, co-owner of AGR along with partners Kim Green and Kevin Savoree. "Dario will definitely give Andretti Green and Honda another real shot at winning the series championship because of his technical feedback, his team leadership, and obviously, his proven ability to win." Franchitti competed in the first two races of the 2003 season at Homestead and Phoenix before the back injury caused him to miss races at Japan, Indianapolis and Texas. He returned to the cockpit in June at Pikes Peak and finished fourth, but underwent back surgery in the weeks following the Pikes Peak event, which caused him to miss the remainder of the 2003 season. "To say I'm eager to get going again would be a huge understatement," Franchitti said. "My recovery has been going very well, and I know I'm not quite through the process yet, but I really can't wait to get back in an AGR car and work with my guys. I'm working very hard to regain my fitness, and I feel like I'm a bit ahead of schedule. I am very focused on getting back to 100 percent." Franchitti made his IndyCar Series debut in 2002 at the 86th Indianapolis 500, where he started 28th and finished 19th. He competed in CART from 1997-2002, finishing in the top five in points three times and scoring 10 wins and 11 poles. |
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18 Nov 2003, 20:46 (Ref:787569) | #2 | ||
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Good news for Dario
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I can't drive 55. |
18 Nov 2003, 21:12 (Ref:787609) | #3 | ||
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well Dario in CART is a dead idea now, good for him- too bad for openwheel roadracing
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SuperTrucks rule- end of story. Listen to my ramblings! Follow my twitter @davidAET I am shameless ... |
18 Nov 2003, 22:52 (Ref:787697) | #4 | ||
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Not good news for his health...
He really wanted to come back to CART too (or so his driver friends have been saying), but it's too bad it didn't happen. Hopefully he'll finish his career without too many concussions/broken bones. |
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19 Nov 2003, 00:36 (Ref:787775) | #5 | ||
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Whatever makes him happy!
Seems Ashley couldn't get him to retire then....I guess living off her movie star income didn't appeal to him! |
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19 Nov 2003, 04:05 (Ref:787861) | #6 | ||
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"Hopefully he'll finish his career without too many concussions/broken bones."
Only if he stays off that damn Ducati!! (or was it a Motoguzzi) Last edited by dirtfan; 19 Nov 2003 at 04:07. |
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19 Nov 2003, 08:05 (Ref:787928) | #7 | ||
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Good point dirtfan!
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19 Nov 2003, 16:50 (Ref:788430) | #8 | ||
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well the 2005 IRL 'schedule' is supposed to have 4 count them 4 road course races!
from www.autoextremist.com so dario's well be happier there, and CART better have a cracker year or IRL (always the better logo) will win-ugh |
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SuperTrucks rule- end of story. Listen to my ramblings! Follow my twitter @davidAET I am shameless ... |
19 Nov 2003, 18:06 (Ref:788519) | #9 | ||
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If he was truely unhappy in the IRL couldn't he just leave? Some of you are almost implying that he was forced to stay. If he wants to race in the IRL more power to him. I'm just glad to see AGR sticking with the three car team for next year. That's a good thing!
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20 Nov 2003, 02:29 (Ref:788969) | #10 | ||
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I agree jhansen.
if he wants to race then there isnt a problem. im glad he's coming back and hope he has a cracker year. |
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In Loving memory of Peter Brock I hate it when im driving in a straight line & Seb Vettel runs into me GO THE MIGHTY HAWKS !!!! |
20 Nov 2003, 10:42 (Ref:789240) | #11 | |||
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Quote:
Other question: What happens to his sub Brian Herta? |
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20 Nov 2003, 12:44 (Ref:789411) | #12 | ||
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Supposedly subbing for Kenny Brack at Rahal, or at least testing.
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20 Nov 2003, 14:38 (Ref:789569) | #13 | |||
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Quote:
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20 Nov 2003, 16:15 (Ref:789692) | #14 | ||
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I hope not. Bryan is a very highly talented driver, very much overlooked in cart. He should get a drive, he deserves one. Hopefully if Rahal get a second car he'll get the drive, should this supposed testing go well.
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I can't drive 55. |
21 Nov 2003, 13:47 (Ref:790617) | #15 | ||
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Nice one Dario. Good news for IRL. Knowing the reputation of my fellow Brits north of the border for being, how can I put this? prudent with the folding stuff, I reckon old Dario took a peek at the balance sheet of Mr Pook and his mates and took the view that a paid drive in a vibrant, prestigious series was a better bet than keeping the cobwebs off his cockpit while the "suits" waged war around him.
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Boogity Boogity Boogity Lets go racin'Damn its a full coarse yellow! |
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