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Franchitti out of action for Japan race
Scotland, Apr 09: Dario Franchitti will miss this week`s IRL race in Japan after injuring his back in a motorbike accident during a family visit in Scotland. He plans to remain in Scotland for the remainder of this week before returning to Indianapolis and expects to be ready for the start of practice for the Indy 500 on 4 May.
Scotland, Apr 09: Dario Franchitti will miss this week's IRL race in Japan after injuring his back in a motorbike accident during a family visit in Scotland. He plans to remain in Scotland for the remainder of this week before returning to Indianapolis and expects to be ready for the start of practice for the Indy 500 on 4 May.
Franchitti suffered a slight fracture of a vertebra in his lower back in the accident. "The motorcycle had a mechanical problem," he said. "I tried to slow down, but of course that was a bit difficult under the circumstances and I wound up crashing through a hedge and landing on my back. This is the first time in 19 years of racing that I've missed an event due to injury."
Rookie Dan Wheldon, a test driver for Andretti Green, will take Franchitti's place for the race, joining teammates Michael Andretti and Tony Kanaan. All four drivers are entered in the Indy 500, the next race on the IRL schedule after Japan on the 25 May. Franchitti is 11th in the IRL standings after this year's first two races. "Most important, I'm glad Dario is okay," said Andretti, co-owner of the new race team. "Andretti Green needs him 100% healthy for Indy and the rest of the IndyCar season."
Andretti plans to retire as a driver after Indianapolis, and Wheldon will join Franchitti and Kanaan as a full-time driver for the rest of the season.
Bureau Report
Franchitti suffered a slight fracture of a vertebra in his lower back in the accident. "The motorcycle had a mechanical problem," he said. "I tried to slow down, but of course that was a bit difficult under the circumstances and I wound up crashing through a hedge and landing on my back. This is the first time in 19 years of racing that I've missed an event due to injury."
Rookie Dan Wheldon, a test driver for Andretti Green, will take Franchitti's place for the race, joining teammates Michael Andretti and Tony Kanaan. All four drivers are entered in the Indy 500, the next race on the IRL schedule after Japan on the 25 May. Franchitti is 11th in the IRL standings after this year's first two races. "Most important, I'm glad Dario is okay," said Andretti, co-owner of the new race team. "Andretti Green needs him 100% healthy for Indy and the rest of the IndyCar season."
Andretti plans to retire as a driver after Indianapolis, and Wheldon will join Franchitti and Kanaan as a full-time driver for the rest of the season.
Bureau Report