Dario Franchitti will miss the rest of the 2003 IRL Indycar season in a bid to be fully fit for the 2004 Championship.
The Andretti-Green racer returned to the cockpit of his Dallara-Honda last weekend, finishing an impressive fourth at the Pikes Peak oval. However the Scot has opted to undergo surgery on his back in order to fully recover from the damage caused by a motorcycle accident in April. The decision will mean Franchitti will be unable to compete in the rest of the 2003 season.
"I'm really disappointed that I will not be able to compete for the remainder of the IRL season. But I feel that to do the surgery now is the best thing for me", explained Franchitti.
Franchitti, who missed the Indianapolis 500 this year, has set his sights on being fully fit for a shot at the 2004 500, sacrificing a potentially competitive remainder of the 2003 IRL season. Franchitti said: "By having the surgery, I can be back to 100% fitness at Andretti-Green Racing for the 2004 Championship and the Indianapolis 500."
Andretti-Green have used two substitute drivers so far this season to replace Franchitti. Robby Gordon competed in the Indy 500 for the team before fellow American Bryan Herta took over. Herta is now expected to deputise for Franchitti for the rest of the season despite competing for PK Racing in the Champ Car race at Laguna Seca last weekend. Herta has a contract with Andretti-Green allowing him to race for the team until Franchitti is able to return to the cockpit.
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