Dario will be back with AGR in '04

[cosmoose]

link

“Andretti Green Racing is really looking forward to having Dario back full-time next season,” said Michael Andretti, co-owner of AGR along with partners Kim Green and Kevin Savoree.

“To say I’m eager to get going again would be a huge understatement,” Franchitti said. “My recovery has been going very well, and I know I’m not quite through the process yet, but I really can’t wait to get back in an AGR car and work with my guys. I’m working very hard to regain my fitness, and I feel like I’m a bit ahead of schedule. I am very focused on getting back to 100 percent.”

[stan]

Was not looking forward to this announcement.

[Jim Wilke]

I don't think anyone was. Not Dario, not AGR, not the fans. There is a contract in place and everyone is going to honor it but it would not surprise me to see Dario look for an escape clause.

[Jim Wilke]

I guess Paul Tracy was wrong:

He said he also expects to see former teammate Dario Franchitti back in the series after a year in the rival Indy Racing League. "I think Dario will be back next season," Tracy said. "I think the accident that killed (IRL driver) Tony Renna in Indianapolis maybe turned a light on in his head."

[PitPansey]

Paul Tracy, wrong....never!!!

That kid has an opinion about everything.

[Roadrage]

By the way, Dario turns 32 today.

[numrounofan]

not a big Dario fan, I think Honda is overating his driving and his fan draw...but it's not like he has anywhere else to go.....

[dog-ring]

but but but but..........they told us he was going back to XXXX.............

[MoparsRule]

Yippee.

[MS]

If he wants to be here, fine, welcome back Dario.

He has not indicated he wants to be here.

We'll see what his attitude is next year.

[debdrake]

Originally posted by numrounofan
not a big Dario fan, I think Honda is overating his driving and his fan draw...but it's not like he has anywhere else to go.....

Agreed - this, especially in light of the reports of Tracy considering Nascar, might be a pretty good indication that the 'other' series may not exist next year.

[MichaelP]

Originally posted by MS
If he wants to be here, fine, welcome back Dario.

He has not indicated he wants to be here.

But... but the press release quoted above, written by the AGR PR person and probably never even seen by Dario says he's very anxious!

[BSJracing]

Originally posted by numrounofan
overating his driving

Remember, this guy tied Montoya for the CART championship and lost on a tie-breaker.
That said, I think that Franchitti was left on a wall somewhere, he's never been the same since his big testing accident. I guess we'll find out next year.

[numrounofan]

Originally posted by BSJracing
Remember, this guy tied Montoya for the CART championship and lost on a tie-breaker.
That said, I think that Franchitti was left on a wall somewhere, he's never been the same since his big testing accident. I guess we'll find out next year.

1999 seems like a long time ago....all I've ever witnessed him do is play blocking back for paul tracy......

[BSJracing]

Just for the heck of it
Dario on Ovals since 1999, not bad when he finishes, and he has a pretty good rate of finishing.

1999
Track, St, Fin
Homestead ,7 ,3
Motegi, 11, 22 Contact
Nazereth, 3, 8
Rio 2, 2
Gateway, 3, 5
Milwaukee, 4, 7
Michigan, 9, 5
Chicago, 4, 2
Fontana 8, 10
2000
Homestead, 22, 11
Rio, 8, 11
Japan, 17, 2
Nazereth, 14, 23 Contact
Milwaukee 2, 6
Michigan 4, 3
Chicago 11, 20-Contact
Gateway 4, 24- Gearbox
Fontana 7, 23-Mechanical
2001
Nazereth 12, 8
Japan 2, 17 Mechanical
Milwaukee 11, 9
Michigan 25, 2
Chicago 10, 15
Lausitz 5, 25 Mechanical
England 6, 9
Fontana, 22, 23 Mechanical
2002
Japan 5,3
Milwaukee 9, 12 Contact
Chicago, 1, 3
England 5, 1
Fontana 9, 10 Mechanical
2003IRL
Miami 7,7
Phoenix, 9,16- Gearbox
Pikes Peak 7, 4