Maybe Chip Ganassi Racing is promoting the wrong driver.
Ganassi has signed reigning Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti to drive one of his NASCAR Nextel Cup cars next season. Franchitti’s introduction to the stock-car world will start at Talladega Superspeedway in today’s ARCA RE/MAX Series 250 (4 p.m. on Speed Channel).
Franchitti made a good showing in qualifying on Thursday, earning the sixth starting position. But he took a back seat to another developmental driver in the Ganassi stable—18-year-old Bryan Clauson, who won the pole position. al.com
Dario Franchitti qualified sixth with a speed of 183.740. The Scotland native will make his stock car debut in the No. 42 Target-Fugi Film-Tums Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing today in the ARCA RE/MAX 250 at Talladega Superspeedway. Franchitti will drive for Ganassi in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series in 2008.
“Today was a big learning day, just getting in the car for the first time,” Franchitti said. “Seeing how the car handles, getting used to the seat position, the steering is different, what the switches do. All those things. Even finding my way from pit lane back to the truck. DailyHome.com
Bryan Clauson upstaged the stock-car racing debut of heralded teammate Dario Franchitti by qualifying on pole for today’s ARCA RE/MAX Series 250 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Clauson, of Chip Ganassi Racing, had an average speed of 184.840 mph to claim his first series pole.
“It’s so different to sit in this car,” said Franchitti, who qualified sixth at 183.740 mph. “It’s going to be difficult. I have nothing to go on. I think all those years of learning to drive different cars is going to help, but it’s a very, very different car than what I’ve ever driven before.” Star-Telegram
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