Franchitti in recovery

Dario Franchitti is slowly on the mend after a terrible accident during the last lap of this year’s penultimate IndyCar race, which took place on the streets of Houston, Texas.

Ganassi racer Franchitti suffered concussion, two broken vertebrae and a broken right ankle in the accident. He underwent two operations, the first to his back in Houston and the second in Indianapolis a week later to repair the talus bone in his ankle.

“Dr Tim Weber repaired Dario’s ankle and the surgery went perfectly, just as planned,” said renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr Terry Trammell. “His post-operation X-rays looked great. Everything is positive at this point as Dario continues his recovery.”

Chip Ganassi’s general manager Mike Hull hopes Franchitti will be ready to drive again at some stage this winter. “I spent a little time with Dario and he’s in a great frame of mind,” Hull said. “He’s full of energy and raring to go. I think Dario will always be part of motor racing but I don’t think he’s stopped driving race cars yet. We haven’t talked about it, but I think he believes he’s still got a lot to achieve in motor racing.

“I don’t know about the prognosis for how long his rehabilitation will take,” Hull added. “We plan to have a car ready for him whenever he’s ready to drive. It will be a little while before we know when that is, but I’m sure it will come sooner rather than later.”

Gary Watkins