Looking ahead to 2005 with Andretti Green Racing
source:
irl.racing-live.com
Kim Green's comments were just what Dario Franchitti
and Bryan Herta wanted to hear.
"Both Bryan and Dario have every intention of being good teammates, but they
intend on knocking Tony (Kanaan) and Dan (Wheldon) off the top spot," the
Andretti Green Racing co- owner said.
Thanks for the confidence boost, boss. Will it be difficult to supplant the
reigning IndyCar Series champion and runner-up? No doubt. Is it doable?
Certainly. Franchitti, with two victories and eight top-10 finishes, was sixth
in points last season. Herta, who had 10 top-10 finishes, was ninth.
They've already served notice to the entire IndyCar Series field that they'll be
a force on the ovals and the series' venture into road- and street-course
racing. In testing at the 1-mile Phoenix International Raceway two weeks ago,
Franchitti topped the overall speed chart in the No. 27 ArcaEx Dallara/Honda/Firestone.
Herta was seventh in the No. 7 XM Satellite Radio entry. And both are chomping
at the bit to turn right.
Franchitti, who returned to the series after back surgery limited his
participation in 2003 to three events, placed in the top 10 in half of the 16
events and led six races but witnessed additional opportunities slide away.
"We've worked to correct some problems and I think we're ready," said
Franchitti, whose two victories in 20 IndyCar Series starts came on 1-mile
ovals.