ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The four-time IndyCar Series Champion and 2011 IndyCar St. Pete Grand Prix winner Dario Franchitti is making his first NASCAR start since 2008 and competing in his first nationally sanctioned race of any kind since 2013.
That’s the power of his longtime friend, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Cup Series Legacy Motor Club team owner Jimmie Johnson, who persuaded Franchitti to return to the driver’s seat this weekend to steer the No. 1 Tricon Garage Toyota on the streets of St. Pete.
“He’s worked hard at putting this whole thing together from the very first conversation,” Franchitti said of the NASCAR Hall of Famer Johnson, who has even committed to helping guide Franchitti during the race from atop the pit box…