Right this moment, Dario Franchitti was reintroduced to race followers. The three-time Indy 500 winner and four-time IndyCar champion is again in NASCAR. Franchitti hasn't raced a inventory automobile since 2008 and, at 52 years outdated, will probably be one of many oldest drivers to take the wheel this season in nationwide collection competitors.
With a partnership that features Legacy Motor Membership and Jimmie Johnson, Tricon Grage is placing the legendary Franchitti within the No. 1 truck. It's going to be a race value watching on the streets of St. Petersburg.
Having the Truck Sequence and IndyCar each race at St. Petersburg seems like a dream. Now that Dario Franchitti is again, it seems like much more of a dream. However that is very actual. The deal was introduced earlier at this time on social media.
Dario Franchitti rides his scooter round Texas Motor Speedway. Obligatory Credit score: Jerome Miron-Imagn Photographs
Hailing from Scotland, Franchitti excited race followers all through the 2000s and early 2010s. He is among the most completed and adorned drivers within the historical past of American motorsports and will probably be a fan favourite at St. Petersburg.
“The considered racing a NASCAR truck on a avenue circuit is admittedly intriguing to me," Franchitti stated in a press launch. "The completely different surfaces, the truth that a part of it’s on an airport, then you definately go into the streets, the completely different bumps all these stuff you bought to try to grasp. This was simply the possibility to race on a circuit that I like, and an opportunity to do one thing enjoyable.
"This all stemmed from a dialog with Jimmie Johnson. For me, with the chance to race the truck, it was actually him, it was the entire group that he has there [at LEGACY MC] that made all of it occur. His relationship with Toyota, Greenback Tree approaching a sponsor — it’s all been by means of Jimmie and the group at LEGACY MC. If it goes properly, nice. If it doesn’t go properly, I’m going to be blaming Jimmie.”
How properly can Dario Franchitti do on this race? Tricon Storage may have a PIECE for him as they all the time do for these one-off drivers. With backing from Jimmie Johnson, hopefully, we see an incredible race for the semi-retired driver.
This story was initially printed by Athlon Sports activities on Feb 3, 2026, the place it first appeared within the Racing part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a Most popular Supply by clicking right here.
