Dario Franchitti Retires After Accident (Ashley Judd's Husband--3 Time Indy 500 Champion)

[big_dog]

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/motor/indycar

Four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti announced Thursday he will no longer be able to compete in auto racing because of injuries suffered in an Oct. 6 crash. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver, who suffered a broken back, right ankle and concussion in a crash at the Houston Grand Prix that sent his car airborne into a catchfence and back onto the temporary street circuit, also won three Indianapolis 500s in a career that started in 1997.

Franchitti, 40, and his team were looking forward to his return in 2014, when Ganassi is welcoming 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan to the stable that already includes three-time and reigning IndyCar champion Scott Dixon.

Franchitti had crossover appeal for the IndyCar Series through his 11-year marriage to actress Ashley Judd. The two are now separated. But he was personable, well-spoken, popular in the paddock and passionate about the sport. It resonated with fans and made Franchitti one of IndyCar's all-time greats.

Judd, who was at Franchitti's side in the hospital following the crash in Houston, joined a chorus of well wishers Thursday, tweeting about Franchitti, "One-of-a kind-racer, accomplishments that dazzle, has respect of legends & newcomers, but most of all, a gentleman."


Read more: USA Today

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[KamaAina]

1. Best of all, he's Scottish

That's right, Scottish. His parents ran an Italian restaurant in Edinburgh.

[big_dog]

2. maybe this will get her into politics in the future

Last edited Fri Nov 15, 2013, 02:14 PM - Edit history (1)

she would make a good candidate for Kentucky Senate down the road

[KamaAina]

4. Old news

that trial balloon was floated a long time ago. Alison Lundergan Grimes is the Dem candidate and is doing quite well in the polls against Yertle.

[okaawhatever]

5. She didn't poll well when some of her past was revealed. I wish she would run in Tennessee. I think

she could pull off a win here and unseat Marsha Blackburn. She's one of the few who has the money to do it. She's been a delegate to the National Convention from Tennessee, so she might run here.

[KamaAina]

29. By "some of her past"

you presumably mean her mental health issues, which were leaked by Yertle's people in an apparently successful attempt to smear her.

[okaawhatever]

30. That was a big part of it, but politically she also had opposed mountaintop mining and was a

big Obama supporter. Kentucky doesn't like Obama because of his position on coal so that's a double whammy. I'm not sure of her position on guns but that could have been a problem as well.

[KamaAina]

31. Because of his position on coal?

You're sure about that? It couldn't be something else that's black?

[okaawhatever]

32. That's a part of it, but not a big part. Most of the bigots are Republicans anyway so that isn't

what is hurting him. If you live and die by coal (the die part literally) anyone who opposes it is public enemy number one. That's who he's lost there. The urban dems still like him, the republicans don't but wouldn't anyway, but the other dems don't like him for that reason. They're signing up for ACA now so maybe that will turn around his approval ratings there.

[Blue_Tires]

23. But he also drove Honda, which I have to deduct points for...

[Itchinjim]

3. Saw him race at Road America quite a few times

Saw Ashley at the same races, simply a beautiful woman. The best Italian food I ever had was in Inverness, Scotland. Small second story restaurant. Wish I could remember it's name, I'm going back there someday...

[RebelOne]

7. I stayed for a few days in Inverness a few years ago.

I wish I had known about that restaurant because the food in Scotland was not so great.

[HooptieWagon]

6. I thought I read they filed for divorce.

Maybe Im confusing them with another couple.

[7962]

8. They're "estranged" & he's apparently dating another woman

But she (Judd) was with him at the hospital after his wreck.

[big_dog]

34. I heard a while back they were going to give it another go

but who knows for sure

[7962]

9. Saw him when he tried competing in NASCAR a few years back

He never had much success driving Sprint Cup cars, but he was always a pretty nice guy in the pits, from what I've read.

[HooptieWagon]

10. Rear engine drivers don't adapt well to stock cars.

A few stock car drivers might adapt to rear engine open wheel cars, but its been a long time since any tried. I think Gordon, Johnson, and Kyle Busch might be able to.

[7962]

19. Remember Tony Stewart running the Indy 500 and Charlotte 600 in the SAME DAY?

That was several years back and I think he did it a couple times.

[HooptieWagon]

20. Tony Stewart came out of sprint cars.

Thats how he got injured, he still races sprints when he has time.
Many Sprint Cup drivers came up from sprint cars. The time Stewart spent in Indy Cars was between racing sprints and NASCAR, and was the only rear engine cars he drove. Most of the Indy Car drivers have spent their entire careers in rear engine cars...starting in karts, Formula Ford, other Formula series, and then eventually Indy Cars.

[Blue_Tires]

21. Montoya has done fine for himself...

and there are other examples if I felt like digging....

[HooptieWagon]

24. Moderately.

He has a couple road course wins, and occasionally has a good oval race, but has never made The Chase and barely stays in the top 20 in the standings despite being on a reasonably competitive team. And of course, now he's lost his ride and is moving back to Indy Car.

I think you'd have to go back to Foyt, Andretti, etc to find open wheel drivers being very competitive in NASCAR...but their open wheel careers began in front-engine roadsters, which were much more comparable to stock cars.

Its too bad there isn't the cross-over between series now like there used to be. But sponsors and schedules make it too difficult.

[Blue_Tires]

26. It's just as well...

NASCAR has been a joke series for years now...

I'm not quite putting my finger on what makes NASCAR 'different' (super-speedways? drafting? culture? politics?) because Indycar and F1 drivers even today make mostly seamless transitions to road racers, Le Mans GT and prototype cars, WRC, etc. etc....

[HooptieWagon]

28. IMO, the reasons

First, Sprint Cup cars are MUCH heavier than open wheel or road-racing cars, and they have a bit more HP and torque. Consequently, the tires give up much sooner. Open wheel/roadrace drivers may not have the experience managing tirewear. Second, stock cars don't have the cockpit controls that open wheel cars and roadraxce cars have. No weight-jackers, no in-car swaybar adjustments. All adjustments are carried out by the crew during pitstops, which means driver/crew chief communication is crucial. This comes from a whole lot of testing, which NASCAR limits. Thus its difficult for an open wheel/roadracer to develop a relationship with crew chief where they're on the same page regarding the current handling and which direction and how far changes have to go.

I partially agree with you about NASCAR.... some of the tracks are boring, and the restrictor plate races are a joke. However, the short tracks like Martinsville, and the roadcourses have some pretty damn good races to watch. And of course, one NASCAR race has more lead changes than an entire season of F1. Plus, while the smaller teams in NASCAR are at a competitive disadvantage, the gap is smaller than most other series. You can count out about 6 cars, but of the remainder a win on any given sunday is possible. That competition doesn't exist in most other series.

[7962]

35. Most people like to disparage NASCAR as being a no talent "redneck" sport.

The things you point out are big reasons why its so hard for other racers to make it in nascar. Imagine pulling into the pits at Martinsville and just hitting a button and the whole car is up!
One thing though, you wont see much "rubbing" in an open wheel race, thats for sure.

[Baclava]

33. Montoya is leaving Nascar after this year - back to Indycar for him

He'll leave NASCAR behind for a return to open-wheel to drive for Roger Penske -- the IndyCar Series rival of Montoya's longtime boss, Chip Ganassi.

Montoya will team next season with current IndyCar points leader Helio Castroneves and Will Power while driving for Penske, winner of 15 Indianapolis 500s. He could also drive in some NASCAR races as part of the deal.

Montoya had just two wins in 244 career starts

http://espn.go.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/9680788/juan-pablo-montoya-leaves-nascar-returns-indycar-drive-team-penske

[erpowers]

11. Feel Sorry For Him

I know he had a pretty good career and things could have been worse, but I do feel sorry for him. I wish he could have been able to continue his career.

[Blue_Tires]

22. Dario is getting out of the sport alive and has millions in the bank...

I don't feel sorry for him at all...

[HooptieWagon]

25. Yep.

He's still alive...he's seen a few drivers killed. He's made a lot of money, and has nothing more to prove, with several championships and Indy 500 wins. Retire while you're ahead.

[Skittles]

12. I hope they stay together

they seem like a lovely couple

[BootinUp]

15. Sadly, they are divorced now.

[Skittles]

17. oh I did not realize that

she was so quick to be at his side when this happened, I'm guessing some love is still there

[Justice]

18. there was an announcement that they were giving it another go - only separated

[BootinUp]

13. Sorry to read this, one of the best

and this is a sport that demands much from the participants. Hope he finds a way to continue in racing.

[madrchsod]

14. that was a really bad crash.

i hope he recovers well

[House of Roberts]

16. I am glad he has survived to make this choice.

I will look forward to hearing him as a commentator on events in the future. Long live Dario!

[Blue Owl]

27. Is there a Dario Franchitti Jr.?

n/t