Date of birth: |
May 19 1973 |
Nationality: |
Scotland |
First race: |
Homestead 1997 |
The Move to American Motorsports
After winning the Formula Vauxhall title in 1993, competing for two seasons in Formula 3, and a stint in the DTM, Dario Franchitti made the move to American motorsports in 1997. He joined Champ Car, driving for Hogan Racing. With this team, the Scotsman made such a strong impression that he was able to move to Team Green the following year. For this team, he won three races in 1998. In 1999, Franchitti even finished tied for first place in the Champ Car championship, but because Juan Pablo Montoya had won more races, the Colombian was crowned champion.
From Champ Car to the Indy Racing League
After the 2002 season, Franchitti, along with Team Green—which had been renamed Andretti Green—made the switch to the Indy Racing League. The first few years in this series were challenging, partly due to injuries, but in 2007, Franchitti was unbeatable. That year, he won both the Indy 500 and the IndyCar Series title.
In 2008, he moved to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Ganassi Racing. However, success eluded him, and by the end of that year, Franchitti returned to the IndyCar Series with Ganassi.
A Successful Return to the IndyCar Series
Franchitti's return to the IndyCar Series proved to be highly successful. Between 2009 and 2011, he won twelve races and captured the championship title three years in a row. After this impressive streak, 2012 turned out to be a less successful year. Franchitti struggled with the new Dallara DW12 and finished only seventh in the championship. He achieved just one victory that year, but it came in the season’s most prestigious race: the Indianapolis 500. It was his third win in this iconic race and ultimately his last.
A Second Major Crash Ends Franchitti's Career
In 2013, Franchitti continued to struggle. His best results that year were four third-place finishes. The difficult season came to a dramatic conclusion when Franchitti suffered a severe crash on the street circuit in Houston. This crash, combined with a serious testing crash at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2000, forced him to end his active driving career.
Post-Racing Career
Following the devastating crash that brought his racing career to an early end, Franchitti remained active in the motorsports world. He began working with Chip Ganassi Racing as a driver coach and became a commentator for Formula E.
Results 1979 - 2025
1997 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami |
Homestead |
25 |
Sunbelt IndyCarnival |
Surfers Paradise |
9 |
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach |
Long Beach |
12 |
Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix |
Nazareth |
13 |
Hollywood Rio 400k |
Rio de Janeiro |
27 |
Motorola 300 |
Gateway |
17 |
Miller Genuine Draft 200 |
Milwaukee Mile |
16 |
ITT Automotive Detroit Grand Prix |
Detroit Belle Isle |
13 |
Budweiser/G.I. Joe's 200 |
Portland |
26 |
Medic Drug Grand Prix |
Cleveland |
11 |
Molson Indy Toronto |
Toronto |
26 |
U.S. 500 Presented by Toyota |
Michigan |
19 |
Miller 200 |
Mid-Ohio |
11 |
Texaco/Havoline 200 |
Road America |
25 |
Molson Indy Vancouver |
Vancouver |
13 |
Honda Grand Prix of Monterey |
Laguna Seca |
13 |
1998 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami |
Homestead |
9 |
Budweiser 500 |
Motegi Oval |
8 |
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach |
Long Beach |
2 |
Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix |
Nazareth |
21 |
Rio 400 |
Rio de Janeiro |
19 |
Motorola 300 |
Gateway |
27 |
Miller 200 |
Milwaukee Mile |
4 |
ITT Automotive Detroit Grand Prix |
Detroit Belle Isle |
4 |
Budweiser/G.I. Joe's 200 |
Portland |
21 |
Medic Drug Grand Prix |
Cleveland |
3 |
Molson Indy Toronto |
Toronto |
20 |
U.S. 500 Presented by Toyota |
Michigan |
21 |
Miller Lite 200 |
Mid-Ohio |
26 |
Texaco/Havoline 200 |
Road America |
1 |
Molson Indy Vancouver |
Vancouver |
1 |
Honda Grand Prix of Monterey |
Laguna Seca |
4 |
Texaco Grand Prix of Houston |
Houston |
1 |
Honda Indy 300 |
Surfers Paradise |
2 |
Marlboro 500 Presented by Toyota |
Fontana |
22 |
1999 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami |
Homestead |
3 |
Firestone Firehawk 500 |
Motegi Oval |
22 |
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach |
Long Beach |
2 |
Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix |
Nazareth |
8 |
Grand Prix Telemar Rio 200 |
Rio de Janeiro |
2 |
Motorola 300 |
Gateway |
3 |
Miller Lite 225 |
Milwaukee Mile |
7 |
Budweiser/G.I. Joe's 200 |
Portland |
3 |
Medic Drug Grand Prix |
Cleveland |
25 |
Texaco/Havoline 200 |
Road America |
18 |
Molson Indy Toronto |
Toronto |
1 |
U.S. 500 Presented by Toyota |
Michigan |
5 |
ITT Automotive Detroit Grand Prix |
Detroit Belle Isle |
1 |
Miller Lite 200 |
Mid-Ohio |
3 |
Chicago Grand Prix |
Chicago |
2 |
Molson Indy Vancouver |
Vancouver |
10 |
Honda Grand Prix of Monterey |
Laguna Seca |
25 |
Texaco Grand Prix of Houston |
Houston |
2 |
Honda Indy |
Surfers Paradise |
1 |
Marlboro 500 Presented by Toyota |
Fontana |
10 |
2000 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Homestead |
Homestead |
11 |
Long Beach |
Long Beach |
23 |
Rio de Janeiro |
Rio de Janeiro |
11 |
Japan |
Motegi Oval |
2 |
Nazareth |
Nazareth |
23 |
Milwaukee |
Milwaukee Mile |
6 |
Detroit |
Detroit Belle Isle |
4 |
Portland |
Portland |
9 |
Cleveland |
Cleveland |
13 |
Toronto |
Toronto |
25 |
Michican |
Michigan |
3 |
Chicago |
Chicago |
20 |
Mid Ohio |
Mid-Ohio |
22 |
Road America |
Road America |
12 |
Vancouver |
Vancouver |
2 |
Laguna Seca |
Laguna Seca |
3 |
Gateway |
Gateway |
24 |
Houston |
Houston |
25 |
Australia |
Surfers Paradise |
25 |
Fontana |
Fontana |
23 |
2001 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Monterrey |
Monterrey |
9 |
Long Beach |
Long Beach |
6 |
Nazareth |
Nazareth |
8 |
Japan |
Motegi Oval |
17 |
Milwaukee |
Milwaukee Mile |
9 |
Detroit |
Detroit Belle Isle |
2 |
Portland |
Portland |
6 |
Cleveland |
Cleveland |
1 |
Toronto |
Toronto |
24 |
Michican |
Michigan |
2 |
Chicago |
Chicago |
15 |
Mid-Ohio |
Mid-Ohio |
16 |
Elkhart Lake |
Road America |
19 |
Vancouver |
Vancouver |
9 |
Germany |
Lausitzring |
25 |
England |
Rockingham |
9 |
Houston |
Houston |
2 |
Laguna Seca |
Laguna Seca |
19 |
Australia |
Surfers Paradise |
23 |
Fontana |
Fontana |
23 |
2002 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Monterrey |
Monterrey |
2 |
Long Beach |
Long Beach |
9 |
Japan |
Motegi Oval |
3 |
Milwaukee |
Milwaukee Mile |
12 |
Indianapolis 500 |
Indianapolis |
19 |
Laguna Seca |
Laguna Seca |
19 |
Portland |
Portland |
3 |
Chicago |
Chicago |
3 |
Toronto |
Toronto |
13 |
Cleveland |
Cleveland |
14 |
Vancouver |
Vancouver |
1 |
Mid-Ohio |
Mid-Ohio |
17 |
Elkhart Lake |
Road America |
12 |
Montreal |
Montreal |
1 |
Denver |
Denver |
18 |
England |
Rockingham |
1 |
Miami |
Miami |
10 |
Surfers-Paradise |
Surfers Paradise |
7 |
Fontana |
Fontana |
10 |
Mexico City |
Mexico City |
5 |
2003 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Chevy 500 |
Homestead |
7 |
Purex Dial Indy 200 |
ISM Raceway |
16 |
Honda Indy 225 |
Pikes Peak Raceway |
4 |
2004 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Toyota Indy 300 |
Homestead |
17 |
Copper World Indy 200 |
ISM Raceway |
17 |
Indy Japan 300 |
Motegi Oval |
7 |
88th Indianapolis 500 |
Indianapolis |
14 |
Bombardier 500 |
Texas Motor Speedway |
2 |
SunTrust Indy Challenge |
Richmond Raceway |
12 |
Argent Mortgage 300 |
Kansas |
4 |
Firestone Indy 200 |
Nashville Superspeedway |
20 |
Menards A.J. Foyt 225 |
Milwaukee Mile |
1 |
Michigan Indy 400 |
Michigan |
22 |
Belterra Casino Indy 300 |
Kentucky Speedway |
6 |
Honda Indy 225 |
Pikes Peak Raceway |
1 |
Firestone Indy 225 |
Nazareth |
3 |
Delphi Indy 300 |
Chicagoland |
20 |
Toyota Indy 400 |
Fontana |
6 |
Chevy 500 |
Texas Motor Speedway |
15 |
2005 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Toyota Indy 300 |
Homestead |
22 |
XM Satellite Radio Indy 200 |
ISM Raceway |
4 |
Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg |
St. Petersburg |
3 |
Indy Japan 300 |
Motegi Oval |
17 |
89th Indianapolis 500 |
Indianapolis |
6 |
Bombardier Learjet 500 |
Texas Motor Speedway |
8 |
SunTrust Indy Challenge |
Richmond Raceway |
2 |
Argent Mortgage Indy 300 |
Kansas |
4 |
Firestone Indy 200 |
Nashville Superspeedway |
1 |
ABC Supply Company A.J. Foyt 225 |
Milwaukee Mile |
2 |
Firestone Indy 400 |
Michigan |
8 |
AMBER Alert Portal Indy 300 |
Kentucky Speedway |
18 |
Honda Indy 225 |
Pikes Peak Raceway |
7 |
Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix |
Sonoma Raceway |
8 |
Peak Antifreeze Indy 300 |
Chicagoland |
12 |
Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix |
Watkins Glen |
3 |
Toyota Indy 400 |
Fontana |
1 |
2006 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Toyota Indy 300 |
Homestead |
4 |
Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg |
St. Petersburg |
19 |
Indy Japan 300 |
Motegi Oval |
11 |
90th Indianapolis 500 |
Indianapolis |
7 |
Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix presented by Tissot |
Watkins Glen |
14 |
Bombardier Learjet 500 |
Texas Motor Speedway |
13 |
SunTrust Indy Challenge |
Richmond Raceway |
3 |
Kansas Lottery Indy 300 |
Kansas |
12 |
Firestone Indy 200 |
Nashville Superspeedway |
6 |
ABC Supply Company A.J. Foyt 225 |
Milwaukee Mile |
6 |
Firestone Indy 400 |
Michigan |
12 |
Meijer Indy 300 presented by Coca-Cola and Secret |
Kentucky Speedway |
9 |
Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma |
Sonoma Raceway |
2 |
2007 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
XM Satellite Radio Indy 300 |
Homestead |
7 |
Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg |
St. Petersburg |
5 |
Indy Japan 300 |
Motegi Oval |
3 |
Kansas Lottery Indy 300 |
Kansas |
2 |
91st Indianapolis 500 |
Indianapolis |
1 |
ABC Supply Company A.J. Foyt 225 |
Milwaukee Mile |
2 |
Bombardier Learjet 550 |
Texas Motor Speedway |
4 |
Iowa Corn Indy 250 presented by Ethanol |
Iowa Speedway |
1 |
SunTrust Indy Challenge presented by XM Satellite Radio |
Richmond Raceway |
1 |
Camping World Watkins Glen Grand Prix |
Watkins Glen |
3 |
Firestone Indy 200 |
Nashville Superspeedway |
2 |
The Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance |
Mid-Ohio |
2 |
Firestone Indy 400 |
Michigan |
13 |
Meijer Indy 300 presented by Coca-Cola and Edy's |
Kentucky Speedway |
8 |
Motorola Indy 300 |
Sonoma Raceway |
3 |
Detroit Indy Grand Prix presented by Firestone |
Detroit Belle Isle |
6 |
Peak Antifreeze Indy 300 presented by Mr. Clean |
Chicagoland |
1 |
2008 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Nikon Indy 300 |
Surfers Paradise |
16 |
2009 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Honda GP of St. Petersburg |
St. Petersburg |
4 |
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach |
Long Beach |
1 |
Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 |
Kansas |
18 |
93rd Indianapolis 500 |
Indianapolis |
7 |
ABC Supply / A.J. Foyt 225 |
Milwaukee Mile |
3 |
Bombardier Learjet 550 |
Texas Motor Speedway |
5 |
Iowa Corn Indy 250 |
Iowa Speedway |
1 |
SunTrust Indy Challenge |
Richmond Raceway |
2 |
Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen |
Watkins Glen |
15 |
Honda Indy Toronto |
Toronto |
1 |
Rexall Indy Edmonton |
Edmonton |
5 |
Grand Prix of Kentucky |
Kentucky Speedway |
6 |
The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio |
Mid-Ohio |
3 |
Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma |
Sonoma Raceway |
1 |
PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil Indy 300 |
Chicagoland |
4 |
Honda Indy Japan |
Motegi Oval |
2 |
Homestead-Miami Speedway |
Homestead |
1 |
2010 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
São Paulo Indy 300 |
São Paulo |
7 |
Honda GP of St. Petersburg |
St. Petersburg |
5 |
Grand Prix of Alabama |
Barber Motorsports Park |
3 |
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach |
Long Beach |
12 |
Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 |
Kansas |
2 |
Indianapolis 500 |
Indianapolis |
1 |
Firestone 550k |
Texas Motor Speedway |
5 |
Iowa Corn Indy 250 |
Iowa Speedway |
18 |
Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen |
Watkins Glen |
3 |
Honda Indy Toronto |
Toronto |
2 |
Honda Indy Edmonton |
Edmonton |
3 |
The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio |
Mid-Ohio |
1 |
Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma |
Sonoma Raceway |
3 |
PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil Indy 300 |
Chicagoland |
1 |
Grand Prix of Kentucky |
Kentucky Speedway |
5 |
Honda Indy Japan |
Motegi Oval |
2 |
Homestead-Miami Speedway |
Homestead |
8 |
2011 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg |
St. Petersburg |
1 |
Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama |
Barber Motorsports Park |
3 |
37th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach |
Long Beach |
3 |
São Paulo Indy 300 |
São Paulo |
4 |
95th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race |
Indianapolis |
12 |
Firestone Twin 275s Race 1 |
Texas Motor Speedway |
1 |
Firestone Twin 275s Race 2 |
Texas Motor Speedway |
7 |
Grand Prix of Milwaukee |
Milwaukee Mile |
1 |
Iowa Corn Indy 250 |
Iowa Speedway |
5 |
Honda Indy Toronto |
Toronto |
1 |
Honda Indy Edmonton |
Edmonton |
3 |
Honda 200 |
Mid-Ohio |
2 |
MoveThatBlock.com INDY® 225 |
New Hampshire |
20 |
Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma |
Sonoma Raceway |
4 |
Baltimore Grand Prix |
Baltimore |
4 |
Indy Japan - The Final |
Motegi Road Course |
8 |
Kentucky Indy 300 |
Kentucky Speedway |
2 |
2012 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg |
St. Petersburg |
13 |
Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama |
Barber Motorsports Park |
10 |
38th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach |
Long Beach |
15 |
São Paulo Indy 300 |
São Paulo |
5 |
96th Indianapolis 500 |
Indianapolis |
1 |
Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix |
Detroit Belle Isle |
2 |
Firestone 550K |
Texas Motor Speedway |
14 |
Milwaukee IndyFest |
Milwaukee Mile |
19 |
Iowa Speedway |
Iowa Speedway |
25 |
Honda Indy Toronto |
Toronto |
17 |
Edmonton Indy |
Edmonton |
6 |
Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio |
Mid-Ohio |
17 |
GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma |
Sonoma Raceway |
3 |
Streets of Baltimore |
Baltimore |
13 |
MAVTV 500 |
Fontana |
2 |
2013 |
Race |
Track |
FP |
Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg |
St. Petersburg |
25 |
Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama |
Barber Motorsports Park |
25 |
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach |
Long Beach |
4 |
Itaipava São Paulo Indy 300 |
São Paulo |
7 |
97th Indianapolis 500 |
Indianapolis |
23 |
Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix |
Detroit Belle Isle |
6 |
Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix |
Detroit Belle Isle |
5 |
Firestone 550 |
Texas Motor Speedway |
6 |
Milwaukee IndyFest |
Milwaukee Mile |
8 |
Iowa Corn Indy 250 |
Iowa Speedway |
20 |
Pocono 400 |
Pocono |
3 |
Honda Indy Toronto |
Toronto |
3 |
Honda Indy Toronto |
Toronto |
4 |
Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio |
Mid-Ohio |
3 |
GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma |
Sonoma Raceway |
3 |
Grand Prix of Baltimore |
Baltimore |
21 |
Shell Grand Prix of Houston |
Houston |
15 |
Shell Grand Prix of Houston |
Houston |
15 |