Dario's NASCAR Team?

Question

I heard this morning that Chip Ganassi Racing in NASCAR was done because of lack of sponsership, and thats the team Dario Franchitti is on. Does this mean that he is gonna be done with NASCAR, or is he going to try and find another team? Or this is just a rumor, has anybody else heard anything?

Answer 1

He is going to run some races in the lower series. He is sone in the Sprint Cup unless he can find another car which he probably won't.

Answer 2

The team was shut down, therefore Dario is out of a job right now.  He could however be picked up by another team that might want him.  Unless there is someone that is a significantly worse driver than Franchitti, he most likely won't race again this year.

Answer 3

He is supposed to continue to drive on a regular basis in the Nationwide series "green".  Dario is a good man and was just making progress.  I feel for him. A driver of his caliber should never be in that type of situation.   I guess we shall wait and see what else is in his future. I added yah. You're a good contributor.

T

Answer 4

It means hes gone. If you remember they did the point standings for all the drivers, Sam Hornish was on there too but he wasnt under the line to where he was going to be cut. Dario was, basically they cut him because of his points standings in the races and the fact that he didnt place high enough. Dont want to get off the topic but Sam is doing much better than Dario, I think that he wanted to go into NASCAR because he wanted the public attention and it doesnt help when his wife is a celebrity also. So in the end Dario is out of a job just like what the others stated.

Answer 5

OK ... here's my 2-cents ... buckle up.

Franchitti's 2008 NASCAR season ended due to the lack of proper sponsorship.  Basically, TCGR was funding Dario's team pretty much out of Ganassi's own pockets, and if you've seen Dario's sponsorships over the first half of the season, you'll see he's had a TON of them, but nothing regular.  Without a regular sponsor willing to contribute $22-25 million / single season, racing a full season is very tough.  I am REALLY interested what happened to the money Dario supposedly brought with him with Canadian Club Whiskey, and whether they pulled the plug as well.  In any regards, Ganassi signed Franchitti to a long-term contract, so I really don't see him trying to find another team in the near future.

Now ... onto Dario rumors.  I believe Ganassi & Sabates really want him to drive the rest of the season in the Nationwide Series.  Personally, I think this is the best move.  He's a lifelong open-wheeler, and driving NASCAR vs. IndyCar is apples to elephants.  It takes time, and I think most IndyCar fans know Dario can absolutly drive the wheels off a car.  He just needs the "tintop" experience.  As for 2009, I think sponsorships are absolutely necessary, but he *could* be back in the Sprint Cup series.

Now ... the return to IndyCars?  Forget it.  Absolutely forget it.  Dario has *NOTHING* left to prove in the IndyCar Series.  He's got his Indy 500 victory, and he got his IndyCar Series championship - both in 2007.  He left IndyCars at the top of his game.  Could he get back into an IndyCar?  Sure.  Does he want to?  Personally, I think we've seen the last of Dario in an open-wheel car.  Last year's "flights" at both Michigan and Kentucky I think made him think long and hard about returning (plus, I find it highly ironic that both "flights", he walked away from unscathed, but his big NASCAR accident, he broke his ankle).

Dario may have gone to NASCAR for the money, but personally, I really believe he went to NASCAR more for the "next challenge".  After several years doing something, we all need to be looking for that "next challenge" to keep ourselves and our sanity fresh and active.  This is why he went to NASCAR.  Could he have gone to a full-time sports car?  Personally - that's where I think he will end up in 3-4 years.  Much safer, and he's a proven winner there, too.  Perhaps in one of TCGR's sports cars in ALMS.

Mind you - my opinions only.

Answer 6

Dario is officially gone, He got let go because Chip Ganassi Racing could not keep his sponshership.

Answer 7

Ganassi could not secure any sponsorship for Dario's team.. He is suppose to drive some Nationwide races, he is a great driver, face it these tanks aren't that easy to drive especially since theres 43 of them out there. It takes seat time. I think all the open wheel guys need to spend a solid yr driving in the Nationwide or Camping World or even ARCA before they get out  there in the big Nascar circuit.. I'm sure we will see Dario again he could also drive the DP Rolex series as well..

Go Helio.