Dario Franchitti has admitted that he almost quit motorsport after missing out on the chance to emulate his hero,
Jim Clark, in the 2005 Indianapolis 500.
Speaking after finally achieving his aim of repeating Clark's victory at the Brickyard in 2007, the Scot revealed that such was his disappointment at not being able to mark the 40th anniversary of his fellow countryman's 1965 win that he contemplated not carrying on.
"I think he's a hero for any Scottish driver, and really one of the best drivers in the world ever," Franchitti said of Clark, who was killed in an F2 race at Hockenheim before his successor was born, "[The fact that 2005] was the 40th anniversary of Jim winning [the 500] was one of the reasons I was so [upset] I didn't win. I was so upset.
Jackie Stewart came over and watched the race. My old boss, obviously one of my heroes, came to watch me race. It was looking good for a while, but it didn't turn out."
Having finally won the blue riband event in a rain-shortened race on Sunday, Franchitti admitted that he had felt truly humbled when he saw the Borg-Warner Trophy with Clark's name and face on it.
"I saw some of the names, including my hero, then I was in awe," he smiled, "To see the great names that are on there, it's such a humbling experience. It's amazing to think I'm going to be on it. It's such an honour."
There is little time for Dario to bask in his glory, however, for the IndyCar Series moves on to its traditional stop at The Milwaukee Mile just a week after Indy. It is another track where he shares a victory with Clark.
"I'm ready for Milwaukee," the Scot insisted, having taken his first race win for almost two years, "I'm eager to get back in the car. It will be a busy week, but it's Milwaukee and I love that track. When the cars are as good as they are now, you just want to get in and drive them. I'm ready to go."
