It's Official: Franchitti To Cup In 2008

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates made it official this morning, announcing that reigning Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series Champion Dario Franchitti has signed a multi-year deal to drive Ganassi’s No. 40 Dodge Avenger in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, beginning next season. He will team with Juan Pablo Montoya and Reed Sorenson in the three-car Ganassi stable, running for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Raybestos Rookie of the Year title, as well as competing in a number of NASCAR Busch (soon to be Nationwide) Series races.

“Any time you can sign a driver of Dario’s caliber you have to be thrilled,” said Ganassi. “Dario is a world-class driver. He is a proven winner, an Indianapolis 500 champion and an accomplished individual that will be a super teammate to both Juan Pablo and Reed.”

“I have always admired Chip’s teams -- having competed against them over the years -- and recently paid particular attention to Juan’s successful transition this season,” said Franchitti. “This is a great opportunity to join one of NASCAR’s premier teams.”

Franchitti will begin his acclimation to stock cars almost immediately, attempting to qualify a Ganassi-owned No.42 Target Dodge in Friday’s ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway.