Dario Franchitti Wins 3rd Quarter Driver Of The Year Ballot

Dario Franchitti (center) accepts trophy and Tissot watch from Mike
Harris (left) Associated Press and Lewis Franck of Sports Illustrated.com (right) at Texas  Motor Speedway

Winning the Indy 500, and the IndyCar title are two very difficult tasks yet Dario Franchitti went beyond those feats as he won the voting for the 3rd  Quarter, DRIVER OF THE YEAR - 2007. It was his second-straight honor.

Although the IndyCar title went down to the last lap of the last race, Franchitti, a native of Scotland who now makes Tennessee his home, never faltered. That was reflected in the media balloting. In the third quarter he won two races, including the season finale at Chicagoland Speedway, four poles, and had only one finish below eighth.

Franchitti, who drives the Canadian Club Dallara/Honda for Andretti Green Racing, said “it is quite an honor to receive the Driver of the Year award for the second-consecutive quarter. I am especially honored when you consider all of the very talented drivers throughout every series.”

Tony Stewart, a previous Driver of the Year winner, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series was second and last year’s Driver of the Year and Nextel Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson at Hendrick Motorsports was third.

Barry Schmoyer, President of the Driver of the Year Foundation, commented “it’s a pretty rare occurrence for one driver to win back-to-back quarters. Not only is Dario an accomplished driver, but, one who works well with the media and fans, that is a big reason for his recognition by the panel.’

In the voting Franchitti garnered seven first-place ballots and totaled 100. points. Stewart, who drives the Home Depot Chevrolet, had three NASCAR Nextel Cup wins which netted two first-place votes and a total of 65 points.

Johnson, driving the Lowes Chevrolet, had two wins in the Cup series, resulting in three first-place votes, and finished third with 51 points

Fourth place went to IndyCar’s Scott Dixon of New Zealand. Drag Racing’s Tony Schumacher and NASCAR’s Kurt Busch were other drivers to a first-place vote.

A total of 16 drivers scored points in the second quarter voting. In its’ 41st year, the DRIVER OF THE YEAR title is unique. A panel of 17 leading journalists from across the U.S. determine the winner.  In quarterly voting, points are awarded on a declining 9, 6, 4,3,2,1 basis. Franchitti will receive a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch to be presented at a later date.

 “I am very grateful to be recognized for a successful 2007 season that was highlighted by an IndyCar Series championship and Indianapolis 500 win," added Franchitti.