Dario's Gone, but who will be Andretti Green's fourth driver?
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It is now official: Dario Franchitti has officially made the jump to stock cars, signing a deal with Chip Ganassi to drive the #40 car next year. On Friday, he made his stock car race debut at Talladega Superspeedway in an ARCA race, finishing 17th. Also debuting in stock cars in the same race was ex-Formula One driver Scott Speed, who finished seventh.
With Mr. Judd now officially gone, there is an empty ride at open wheel's largest team, Andretti Green Racing. Losing Dario is more than just losing a successful driver, but also a very experienced racer who was a valuable teacher for Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick (this role now falls to Tony Kanaan). Despite this, there's plenty of drivers free to take the empty spot.
Here's a look at some of the possible replacements, with an attempt to be fairly realistic (i.e. you won't find Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton!)
Vitor Meira
Who is he: Driver of the #4 Panther Racing car. Arguably the best driver in the series without a win, he's finished second seven times.
Pros: He's been tapped to help AGR in the American Le Mans Series, so he's at least on their radar. He's always been kind of unlucky not to have won at this point, and has had success even with weaker teams (5th in points in 2006). He's also a former teammate of Danica Patrick.
Cons: Is it weak teams or bad luck keeping him out of winner's circle? This year was a lot more of a struggle for Vitor than last as well. I'm also concerned he'd blend in at a large team like AGR, since when he was at Rahal Letterman he got lost in the shuffle behind Danica and Buddy Rice. For example, few remember that he finished second in the 2005 Indy 500, better than Danica who got all the attention.
Chances: Quite high.
Tomas Scheckter
Who is he: A two time IndyCar winner and son of 1979 World Champion Jody Scheckter, Tomas raced for Vision Racing last year. He's currently in limbo with Vision, who does not have sponsorship for a third car in 2008 and has instructed him to look for other rides first.
Pros: He has won IndyCar races, which most of the other drivers in this article can't say they have. As he has gained experience, he is no longer Crashy McCrash and can finish races. This season, he regularly flirted with the top 5 in most races, outdriving many superior cars. He's also supposedly friends with Marco Andretti.
Cons: On his previous stint with a top-flight team, 2003 with Ganassi, he did not meet their expectations. Has a strong personality, which could let him shine or have him miserable with AGR teammates.
Chances: Second to Vitor
Darren Manning
Who is he: Driver for A.J. Foyt Enterprises. Has spent three seasons in the IndyCar Series
Pros: He had two top-five finishes this season in A.J. Foyt's single car operation. Darren is one of the better road course drivers in IndyCar, especially on street circuits. He was fourth at Belle Isle, and qualified fifth at St. Pete where he ran in the top five until a late crash.
Cons: A.J. loves what he's done for him. Should Michael try to take Darren away, A.J. might just kick his ass (even with a 27-year age difference). Or crush him under the weight of his 4 Borg-Warner Trophy replicas.
Chances: Highly unlikely.
Sarah Fisher
Who is she: The other regular woman driver in IndyCars. The series first full-time female driver and the first to score a pole. Has no contract for 2008.
Pros: Never having great equipment, it'd be interesting to see how she'd do with it. Plus having both female regulars might be a big PR boost. Although they're both female, the mellow Fisher is an unlikely catfight partner for Danica (the better possibility is still below).
Cons: She can't drive a road course to save her life. Having as much race experience on them going into this season as Dario Franchitti had stock car experience on Thursday, she basically drove not to crash in those races. Only top 10 of the season came at the attrition filled Iowa race. Considering that teammate Buddy Rice ran a very similar car in the top 10 all year, it was not a good 2007 for her. All her IndyCar success came before the big three teams arrived.
Chances: Very small
Buddy Rice
Who is he: 2004 Indianapolis 500 champion. Raced for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing with Sarah Fisher in 2007.
Pros: Having won the 500, Rice has experience winning big races, making him the most apt to fill the Franchitti role. Driver for one of the weaker teams, he ran well, with three top 5s and 10 top 10s.
Cons: Since winning the 500, he hasn't finished the race since. He also hasn't won since 2004 at Michigan.
Chances: D&R is probably quite happy with his performances, making this very unlikely
Dan Wheldon
Who is he: 2005 Indianapolis 500 champion and Series Champion. Currently with Ganassi Racing.
Pros: A proven winner. A former AGR racer. A man angry at his team.
Cons: Dan Wheldon hates Danica Patrick, and she hates him too. If they're teammates, we may see the biggest catfights since Dynasty went off the air. He's also itching to try stock cars (part of his beef with Chip), so why would AGR want to have lightning strike twice?
Chances: Hell will freeze over first.
Alex Lloyd
Who is he: The 2007 Indy Pro Series champion (IPS is IndyCar's feeder league) by a large margin. Won eight times including five straight. Had an opportunity to race at Chicagoland for Marty Roth, but declined.
Pros: He's an up-and-comer, although he wouldn't be the youngest racer on his team (about two years Marco's senior). He's obviously ready to step up to the next level.
Cons: Although he looks ready, there's always an uncertainty when someone moves up in class.
Chances: If AGR are looking younger for a replacement, he'd be the favorite
Hideki Mutoh
Who is he: The runner-up in IPS last year, he made his debut with an eighth place finish at Chicagoland.
Pros: Yet another promising young gun.
Cons: He's been favored to take Kosuke Matsuura's spot at Super Aguri-Panther.
Chances: Very slim
