FORT WORTH, Texas -- Dario Franchitti rode into Fort Worth’s Sundance Square like a champion – this time with a little different horsepower.

Franchitti, accompanied by Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, arrived in style to his first public appearance since his Indianapolis 500 victory by riding in on horse and carriage led by Fort Worth Police Department’s Mounted Patrol team.

Franchitti, who received a special silver Fort Worth plaque presented by Mayor Price, visited with members of the Dallas/Fort Worth media at Mercury Chop House as part of the Indy 500 champion’s tour.

He also shared a milk toast Stella and Ben Pace after selecting them as the winners of the “Color Me A Little Indy” art contest.

On May 30, he’ll be in New York City for a round of media events and the next day he’ll be among the drivers attending a luncheon to put the spotlight on this weekend’s Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.

“You have dreams of winning there so when you can do that it just means so much,” Franchitti said. “I mean, it’s Indianapolis, it’s our Super Bowl. You have to fight for every position at that track and it never gives you anything, so I’m very proud of the job we did.”

The IZOD IndyCar Series returns to Texas Motor Speedway on June 8-9 for the Firestone 550. Franchitti won one of the two races on the 1.5-mile oval last June. Tickets are available by contacting the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500, or by visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com.