The World of Dario can only become better by joining NASCAR forces

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Dario Franchitti just wants a little more national attention, a little more money and, perhaps, a little more safety.

Call it The Scottish-American Dream.

Though not official just yet, Franchitti is expected to leave behind the Indy Racing League and open wheels at some point during the coming days or weeks, and to follow Sam Hornish, Juan Pablo Montoya and Jacques Villeneuve toward the bright lights, big rigs and bigger paychecks that represent everything NASCAR has become.

He could not have picked a better time to enter the spotlight.

In case you don't follow the IRL – and judging from the ever-improving but still disappointing Nielsen Ratings and attendance, you don't – Franchitti won four races this season in 17 starts, including a rain-shortened Indianapolis 500, and wrapped up his first championship Sunday. Problem is, almost nobody heard about the win because of the IRL's infrequent television appearances. And even before Franchitti won the crown, he was overshadowed by his more famous teammates, Tony Kanaan and Danica Patrick, and his more famous wife, Ashley Judd.

But by the time he moves to NASCAR and Chip Ganassi Racing, Franchitti will be a household name. Between now and the Daytona 500 in February, he will land on magazine covers and TV specials and Internet message boards. Finally, with Kanaan and Patrick behind him, and with Judd in the stands, he will receive the attention he deserves.

Franchitti will also likely receive more money in NASCAR than he has at any point during his six seasons in the IRL or his five seasons in Champ Car. Consider that during this last season, Franchitti earned a little more than $3 million, and he picked up more half that total after winning the Indy 500. Then consider that each of the top 12 NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers has already earned more this season than Franchitti, with 10 races remaining.

Between larger prize money and more endorsements, Franchitti will be able to take Judd on a few more shopping sprees for sundresses and floppy hats.

Then there is that little issue of safety. While the IRL has no plans to veer from the use of its iconic open-wheel cars, NASCAR will shift full-time next season to the Car of Tomorrow, a little more than seven years after Dale Earnhardt crashed and died at Daytona.

Though traditionalists will howl more even than they did this season, the COT is already a boon for drivers' safety, and it will only continue to improve. Those open-wheel cars, meanwhile, are largely of the same design driven by Alex Zanardi in 2001 – just a few months after Earnhardt died – when he crashed and lost both of his legs.

More money, more televised races, more safety. What more proof do you need that NASCAR is moving forward?

And what more proof do you need that Franchitti is, too?

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Article Number: 000120