Image via Complex Original
On May 27, 2012, Scotland native Dario Franchitti achieved something only 10 people in the world have done: win the Indianapolis 500 for the third time. His face now sits on either side of the late Dan Wheldon on the Borg-Warner Trophy, surrounding one of his best friends like the hug Franchitti gave Wheldon after the 2011 Indy race. The 39-year-old Chip Ganassi driver has now won 21 races since his rookie year in 2004, and has 70 top five finishes in his 120 starts. He took some time to talk to Complex to discuss handling the new open-wheel cars, the emotions of the Indy 500, and who inspires him. Check out 10 Questions With Dario Franchitti.
Question 1
How does it feel to be in such an elite class with other drivers, being one of 10 drivers to win the Indy 500 three times?
"Humbling is probably the best word. I’m very proud of my achievements, whether it’s winning 500s or championships, particularly championships. I had a pretty difficult start to the season, and that gave me a new appreciation for what we were able to achieve both in terms of winning in Indy and the championship."
Question 4
How were you able to adjust with the new car after struggling earlier?
"Well, it took a while, because for the road course tracks and street course I used my right foot to brake. Up until two days to go in testing, I had to use to my left foot to break, because the manufacturer had the pedals set up that allowed me to do that. We ran out of fuel on the first race and had a mechanical failure in the third race. But the first three races we didn’t really look like we were even going to challenge to win. So, the fact that we were able to go out to Brazil and qualify in the front row and be competitive even after getting spun on the restart, that made me feel good. Then at Indianapolis, we stepped it up further."
Question 2
Out of the three Indy 500 wins, which was the most difficult?
"They’re all difficult. In ‘07 I had a flat tire and I had to come up from the back all the way forward again and then rain came. In 2010 we led 155 laps and I had a dominant car, but I had to save fuel at the end, and that was crazy. Then, this year I had to fight back again and was fighting on the last lap. They’re all difficult. Indy never gives you anything. You've got to take it and fight hard."
Question
In all three of your victories, you’ve won on caution laps. Do you feel fortunate, and also skilled, to be able to avoid crashes? Do you feel there is a difference if it’s a win on a caution lap or not?
"No, that’s the distance of the race. We’re reacting to other people having accidents, not me. I put myself in a position to win those races, and all my team puts ourselves in a position to win them. I got asked that question earlier and when the caution flag comes out, right above it is the checkered flag, so it feels very, very good."
Question 6
There have been a lot of safety precautions taken over the past few years. Are you satisfied with the safety of the sport right now or do you think more needs to be done?
"Racing is a dangerous sport, but we’ve worked very hard to make it safer. We always have, the drivers, the teams, the governing bodies, the tracks. We all work hard to do that, but the efforts were definitely put more in focus again after Dan’s accident, and rightly so. We’re pushing very hard to make things as safe as we can and we’ll continue to fight for that. There have been a lot of safety innovations like you said, both with the cars, safer walls, safer barriers. I think the next area we need to work on, especially with oval tracks, is the fence."
Question 9
For someone who’s never been on the track, how would you put into words the feeling at those high speeds?
"Your brain is just working that fast. In practice I try to slow it down and come to the pits and was going 170 mph, but I felt that I was still going slower."
Question 5
After your victory you took a lap with Dan Wheldon’s widow and your wife. Can you describe your emotions during that moment?
"I think there were conflicting emotions, because there was obviously the joy of winning. My team owner Chip Ganassi was also there with his daughter Tessa, so there was the joy of winning and the joy of watching Susie see the tributes to Dan. At the same time, the hurt was there. Obviously there was the reminder that he was no longer with us and the hurt that that causes. So, there were quite a bit of emotions on that one."
Question 10
Who was your biggest influence growing up?
"My mom and dad and my cousin Louie. Then my first team bosses David Leslie, father and son. They were both called David. Those guys and Jackie Stewart were the biggest influences on my life."
Question 8
Do you have any pre-race rituals?
"You tend to get ready in the same order. I get dressed in the same way. It’s not a superstition, at least I tell myself it’s not. It’s more a way of getting that brain in gear to do that same thing. I get in the car the same way. Even the guys who are strapping me in the car get their own brains ready to go to work."
Question 7
What’s your favorite car model off the track?
"I think my passion is really more towards older cars, but I think if I said Ferrari or something like that, I’d say their brands are really it. Whether it’s cars I own, probably Ferrari F40 or Porsche Carrera GT. Cars are my weakness, what can I tell ya? I like to buy cars."