Franchitti loses NASCAR Drive

[telecat]

Looks like Ganassi cannot get enough sponsorship to run the No 40 team so has closed it down leaving Dario without a drive. It's reported he'll be dropping down to the Nationwide Series.

[fastcaterham]

Just read this elsewhere, thought it may be coming though. Still a shame, I think everybody knew he wasn't going to set the world alight but thought he'd do better than he has especially at places like infinion. Maybe he'll just be one of those people who can't adapt to a different formula. Hopefully he can do well in the nationwide series and get back in the cup but if not I think he needs to forget nascar and get back in a single seater before its too late and he drops off the radar so to speak. Still got plenty of time yet I suppose though!

[Logie]

Shame i liked following him in NASCAR. I know he wasnt setting the world on fire, but still i was routing for him and Montoya!

[telecat]

I did think when he accepted the drive that NASCAR might be too much of a lottery compared to IRL. Worts part of the situation is that if Ganassi can't find the sponsors for NASCAR that spells trouble.

[entropy]

Ganassi really needs to sort out their NASCAR operation. They were struggling to run 2 cars competitively every week, let alone 3.

[VladD]

He should team up with McNish and DC (when he quits F1) and race for "Ecurie Eccose" at Le Mans.

I was hoping that McNish, DC and McRae would form a Le Mans team at some point, but that's sadly a no go now.

I'd like to see a Button, Herbert and Brundle team in the future too.

[blown 5.0]

Hate to say it but i dont think even schumacher would have made it in Nascar,most of the guys he races have been used to this type of racecar since they were 6 years old , they dont drive themselves , all driver input and on any given week the top 15 drivers are capable of winning it very competive and cut throat. He needs a lot more wheel time but looking at the new guys like keselowski and logano even in the second series (nationwide)i dont think he will have much luck there.Shame , a lot more people payed attention to it because we had one of our own in it.

[fastcaterham]

Sort of agree with you blown 5.0, I think Montoya is the exception though. I know hes not done amazing but hes fairly consistant. Whether his results are because he just naturally adapts better or had more track time at the same sort of stage I don't know. Agree that its hard for any single seater or even european touring car driver to adapt though considering how different the cars are to drive from any other form of motorsport.
The report I read implied Dario had gone due to lack of sponsorship rather than his poor performance though but I suspect behind the scenes thats a big factor.

[hornet]

Can anyone see him returning to Indycar, now the merger has finally happened and it's (in theory) a stronger series, or will his previous backflip adventures see him stick to having a roof over his head from now on?

[Dr JonboyG]

No, he'll move to sportscars if he goes anywhere; hopefully not with Ganassi since that would mean DPs, but I can't see him wanting to go back to AGR either.

[clonmult]

VladD said:

I'd like to see a Button, Herbert and Brundle team in the future too.

For racing, or doing standup? They'd probably be reasonable at both.

[stockhatcher]

telecat said:

Looks like Ganassi cannot get enough sponsorship to run the No 40 team so has closed it down leaving Dario without a drive. It's reported he'll be dropping down to the Nationwide Series.

.... and probably losing his hollywood wife as well


i know that's not very nice, but i can't help thinking it'll be true

[rubystone]

Dr JonboyG said:

No, he'll move to sportscars if he goes anywhere; hopefully not with Ganassi since that would mean DPs, but I can't see him wanting to go back to AGR either.

Yes, ALMS or a pig ugly GrandAm.

Good post by that guy about NASCAR being specialist. Lots of people dismiss it as "simple". Simple it may be, but it demands a different driving style and racing mindset to anything else.

[Dunit]

I think Chip may well get him back in Indycars,To talented to leave out on the sidelines.

[blown 5.0]

think he ended up being 41st in points mostly due to a broken ankle and an avg finish of 35th, hope he keeps chipping away , Montoya has done the best of the open wheelers by far top 15 to 20 i suppose. Good bit of under caution action last week with Kyle Busch think they sent Montoya back with a 2 lap penalty .looks like Mark Martin is going to race a full season next year in hendrick no5 chevy , at 49 years old that guy is still up with the best of them , maby he could teach francitti how its done.Respect the veterans.

[mark69sheer]

I watched Nascar when it was on freeview last year I recorded a few rounds. Watching the cars I realised that in reality oval racing means being on the edge for nearly a whole lap not just inbetween rests on the straights. It gave me a whole new perspective on their abilities. Knife edge for 300 miles.. strong stuff.

Unfortunately drivers brought through on slicks and wings for a while will struggle since they are used to mechanics setting up the car and curing the problems. The team with the best engines and mechanics therefore usually win.

In Nascar you can't dial out the instability you have to learn how to drive it.