Three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Dario Franchitti dropped by the Philadelphia Union's practice session June 24 on his way to testing at Pocono Raceway.
Union defender and auto racing aficionado Ray Gaddis presented Franchitti a team jersey and gave him a few on-field pointers. For the record, Franchitti is a stout Celtic FC fan.
The IZOD IndyCar Series competes at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., on July 7 in the Pocono INDYCAR 400 Fueled by Sunoco. Watch the race on ABC (Noon ET). The Union (7-5-4 in the MLS) host FC Dallas on June 29.
Zeach interview airs June 26
Firestone Indy Lights driver Zach Veach will be featured on "Larry King Now" at 5 p.m. (ET) June 26 on Ora.tv. The show is also available on Hulu.
End of an era
Al Speyer retires June 30 as Firestone's executive director of motorsports.
Click it: Speyer's career retrospective
"There is so much to convey, but at this time I simply want to say thank you to all who have supported me in so many ways. I will cherish the memories and always be an IndyCar fan," he said.
Closing in on 5,000
Championship points front-runner Helio Castroneves needs to lead 68 laps to surpass 5,000 in his Indy car career.
Castronves is the active leader in laps, and he's the only driver to have completed all 1,423 laps this season. Scott Dixon, driver of the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car, needs to lead 12 laps to surpass 4,000.
Of note
Ed Carpenter in the No. 20 Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka car recorded the fastest race lap (179.055 mph) on Lap 221 in the Iowa Corn Indy 250 presented by DEKALB. He advanced three positions in the final 25 laps to finish fourth. It was his second top five in the past three races. ... No post-race technical infractions were recorded at Iowa Speedway. ... The race at Pocono will be the 100th consecutive IZOD IndyCar Series start for Ryan Hunter-Reay.