Dario Franchitti was among sports figures last weekend to be honored in Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday list.
The four-time Verizon IndyCar Series champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner from Scotland was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to motor racing.
Franchitti, who retired from competitive auto racing in November, is serving in an advisory capacity with Chip Ganassi Racing during the Verizon IndyCar Series season. He was the honorary pace car driver for the 98th Indianapolis 500 in May.
Earlier in the week, it was announced that Franchitti will drive the Lotus 25, which was designed by Colin Chapman, built by Team Lotus and driven by Jim Clark to the British Grand Prix victory at Silverstone in 1963 during the 50th Silverstone Grand Prix commemorative parade in early July.
In the blog I: Special Father’s Day present
Andy O’Gara got an early Father’s Day gift when he arrived home from the hospital with his wife, Sarah Fisher, and the newest addition to their family, Daniel James O’Gara, born June 12 in Indianapolis.
“It’s nice to be home. It’s nice to sit in our own chairs and see him lay down in his own bed in his own room,” said O’Gara, the general manager of the Verizon IndyCar Series team, Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing. “It’s pretty special to get the opportunity to bring him home before Father’s Day.”
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In the blog II: Joining the Zoobilation
Ed Carpenter, winner of the Verizon IndyCar Series’ most recent race, and his wife, Heather, were among the thousands who attended the Indianapolis Zoobilation.
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Of note
Juan Pablo Montoya, who started 28th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race June 15 at Michigan International Speedway, finished 18th in a Penske Racing entry. Montoya, who is seventh in the Verizon IndyCar Series championship, also will compete in the stock car race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July.