Posted on 02/03/2026 8:02:53 AM PST by WhiteHatBobby0701
Four-time NTT IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti will return to competition in the Feb. 28 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event during the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Franchitti, whose career was cut short by injury, will make his return to NASCAR competition for the first time since 2008, driving the No. 1 Toyota for TRICON Garage on the streets of St. Petersburg.
In a partnership between TRICON, Jimmie Johnson and Legacy Motor Club, Franchitti will drive the No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. Dollar Tree has joined the effort and will serve as the primary sponsor for the Scotsman’s first NASCAR race in 17 years.
Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished drivers of his generation, Franchitti has a decorated résumé at the highest levels of open-wheel motorsports. The Scottish driver captured the IndyCar Series championship in 2007 followed by three consecutive championships from 2009 to 2011.
His 31 career wins between IndyCar and CART, highlighted by Indianapolis 500 triumphs in 2007, 2010 and 2012, includes one victory at the 1.8-mile St. Petersburg street course on March 27, 2011, in a dominant performance leading 94 out of 100 laps.
(Excerpt) Read more at speedsport.com ...
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He will drive the No. 1 Toyota for Tricon Racing, which is the defending champion team in the Craftsman Truck Series, for the St. Petersburg Grand Prix (February 28, Fox). Franchitti has driven in historic events but this will be his first "true" professional-grade competition since the crash that severely injured him. The race is expected to be 75 laps under controlled safety car rules that NASCAR will use since the pit crews are in Austin. No live pit stops.
Very interesting. Will be good to see him on the track again.
Eh- 3x winner of the 500 who never finished the race under a green lap.
Dario started out a Winner even with Team mate Paul Tracy’s disastrous Antics.
Dumping that Ashli Judd is another Plus.

Stay away from bipolar women.
Far away.
Good advice.
I can’t stand them. Opposites attract.
And crazy eyes women.
Maybe the Bagster (RIP) would hit it.
3 Time Winner of The Indy 500 !
I did not know that.
Green or Yellow that’s still
A Super Human achievement and very
Good for the Bank Account!
Good advice, but it is difficult to do. They usually have had a long time to perfect the art and can be very sneaky.
See, for instance, Mother Nature, who I claim is often bipolar.
That was a horrible crash in Houston. Car went into the fencing at high speed and debris went over the fence and into the stands injuring 13 spectators. Dario is lucky he survived.
HOW IS THAT THE DRIVER’S FAULT???
ITS NOT- BUT ITS COMPARABLE TO ROGER MARIS BREAKING BABE RUTH’S SINGLE SEASON HR RECORD WHEN HE HAD THE ADVANTAGE OF EXTRA GAME!!!!! IN ONE RACE HE WON IT DIDN’T EVEN GO 500 MILES!!!!!
see- i can post in all caps as well....
One ended by lightning and rain, the other two yellow-chequered because of final lap incidents.
No different than the pre-2009 MLB rule that a postseason game can end before the ninth inning. Lead when the game is stopped, you win.
In essence you are confirming my post 👍
Just now having watched Darios’ Houston crash for the first time ...
The Good Lord brought Dario through that.
His Car did a Buzz Saw Spin off the Fence like I’ve never seen.
Unbelievable.
.
He Is A Genuine Nice Guy.
I asked him once about The Indy 500 before
He Raced it and said he Really wasn’t
To impressed with it.
Maybe 1998-99 ?
I was done in 2000.
Ashley Is a Hideous Person...
First Hand knowledge here.
Thanks for posting...
Imagine he wins. First we hear God Save the King, then we hear Kimi Ga Yo.
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