Franchitti ascends all-time win list

NEWTON – It was a simple encounter that now has a lot of meaning in the history of IZOD IndyCar Racing.

Dario Franchitti recalled receiving advice as an up-and-coming driver from Rick Mears while testing cars for team owner Carl Hogan on oval tracks. Neither could have known from that meeting that later they would share a spot among the all-time best IndyCar drivers.

Before the IZOD IndyCar Series Iowa Corn Indy 250 on Saturday night, Franchitti and Mears were tied with 29 career victories, ranking ninth on the all-time IndyCar wins list.

Mears joked if he knew Franchitti would break his mark that he wouldn't have helped him, but Franchitti was appreciative of the assistance. He was shocked when Hogan offered getting Mears to help discuss the difference in breaking on oval and road courses.

“Coming from Europe, guys like Rick didn't come and help you out,” said Franchitti, admitting he helps younger drivers when asked. “Rick Mears? Really? Seriously?

“That was a big help. From where I came from, guys just didn't do that. I still see Rick do that now no matter what team you're driving for.”

Mears said he enjoys helping young drivers, especially when you can identify the improvement in their performance. Franchitti, however, didn't need much help beyond some fundamentals and he was impressive from the start. All Franchitti needed was seat time.

“He was always very smooth and still is very smooth today, which to me is a key thing on your speedways and ovals,” Mears said. “He already had that natural ability and that talent, so it was a matter of laps.”

The 38-year-old Scot notched his 29th win last weekend at the Milwaukee 225 on the Milwaukee Mile. Coincidentally, it came almost 33 years to the day when Mears recorded his first victory, which was also at Milwaukee. Franchitti, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, who has won two of his three events at Iowa Speedway, has 18 IndyCar sanctioned wins and 11 CART and Champ Car victories. Mears captured seven USAC wins and 22 on CART circuit, including three at the Indianapolis 500.

Franchitti, the two-time defending IZOD IndyCar season points champion who has won three of the last four, won more than one race in at least nine seasons since 1998, including a personal-best five in 2009. The accomplishments are impressive given the varying styles of tracks and courses,

“That's what I always loved about our series,” Mears said. “I've always enjoyed our series because of the variety. The short tracks, you got to run on the speedways, the one-mile flat tracks, the high banks, the street circuits and formula circuits. To me, I felt like you accomplished more if you won the championship. You had to be a more well-rounded driver.”

Franchitti said he is proud of each trip to victory lane and he didn't imagine being on the same plateau as Mears during that first encounter. He was humble sharing the stage with Mears.

“It's a funny thing to get up there in race wins and stuff with your heroes,” said Franchitti, remember how it felt when he won the Indianapolis 500 joining hero Jimmy Clark. “It's a strange thing and I'm really proud of it, but it feels a little odd.”

The feat also put A.J. Foyt's record of 67 career wins in perspective. It may be a record that never gets broken. Mears laughed when he said he won't and Franchitti said it would be tough for anyone to match.

“I'm definitely closer to the end of my career than the beginning so it would be hard to get,” Franchitti said. “Someone would have to start young. … I think it was a testament to how good A.J. was.”

To even near the top, Franchitti would have to catch Paul Tracy and Sebastien Bourdais, who are tied for seventh on the all-time list with 31. He said it would be nice to catch Tracy, his former teammate.

“Who knows? Let's hope so,” Franchitti said. “I take it one race at a time. If I can win some more races great. It's difficult. None of these wins are ever easy.”