VIDEO: Franchitti's harrowing airborne crash during Firestone 400
Indianapolis 500 winner, current IndyCar points leader and husband of actress of Ashley Judd (rank those however you want) Dario Franchitti was involved in a spectacular airborne crash during this weekend's Firestone 400 at Michigan International Speedway, though fortunately he walked away with nary a scratch. Franchitti was doing his best to hold off Dan Wheldon, currently 4th in points, on Lap 144, when his rear end touched wheels with the front of Wheldon's car. Franchitti's car turned sideways in front of Wheldon, which instantly created a giant wing and a ramp from which his car was launched high into the air at over 200 mph. At one point the car was pointing straight down at the pavement. Franchitti eventually landed upside down on top of Scott Dixon's car, narrowly missing the head of the man who is currently chasing him in points. In addition to those three drivers and their cars, Sam Hornish Jr., Tomas Scheckter, Ed Carpenter and A.J. Foyt IV were also involved in this 7-car crash/aerial display. Though no one was seriously injured, A.J. Foyt IV was showing everyone his helmet, which reportedly featured tire marks from Franchitti's car. Wheldon was absolved of any responsibility for the crash by Franchitti, who said after the race, "It's not Dan's fault and I don't believe it's my fault. We're just out there trying to get an advantage."It's thought Franchitti was on pace to win the race, having led the most laps despite not finishing with 56 left to go. Tony Kanaan took the checkered flag instead, though Franchitti remains the season's points leader.
Check out the crash from every possible camera angle after the jump.
[Source: IndyCar.com, ESPN]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Frank Filipponio 3:30PM (8/06/2007)
It sure looks like Wheldon moves up track and into the corner of Dario's car from the video. Almost the same as the incident with Danica back in Milwaukee. Scary as heck. It's good nobody was seriously hurt.
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Travis Rassat 12:43PM (8/06/2007)
Wow. I wasn't able to watch the race, but I had heard a lot about it. That was an amazing crash - I'm glad everyone is OK.
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John R 12:54PM (8/06/2007)
After looking at the vid, I believe Franchitti is a better man than I. I would at least have some choice words for Wheldon. But Franchitti is probably happy that he and everyone else is okay, hence the class act response.
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Greg A. 2:06PM (8/06/2007)
Indeed. "It's not Dan's fault and I don't believe it's my fault"? So neither of them could have done something (or refrained from doing something) to avoid the accident? I find that hard to believe and I put the onus on Wheldon.
A.N.E. 12:58PM (8/06/2007)
There seems to be a pattern starting with Wheldon.
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A. Taylor 1:43PM (8/06/2007)
I agree. I think Wheldon is a dangerous guy out there.
Someone said at the end of the Indy 500, Wheldon is no gentleman.
A.N.E. 2:48PM (8/06/2007)
They call him "Difficult Dan" for his choleric temper.
Mr. Oak 1:06PM (8/06/2007)
That has to be one of the scarier ones that have seen
This is why I think these cats & gals, deserve every bit of the money they make.
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GT 10:35PM (8/07/2007)
notice how the car seems to levitate in mid-air before it hits the ground, really shows how strong aerodynamic forces play on the circuit, for it to whisk a Indy car off like that, once the car picks a little too much lift.
No one got hurt, which was the important thing, thank goodness!
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SLICK 2:26PM (8/06/2007)
the guy in red car don't know how to race
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Skream 3:13PM (8/06/2007)
Egh, high speed ovals :(
I'd say I'll stick to autocrossing, but a few weeks ago we had a guy launch an S2000 airborne over a curb into a fence, so no luck there either.
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rtms 6:27PM (8/06/2007)
It amazes me how these cars can take so much brutality in a crash yet the driver gets out and walks away from it. Why can't we have this for are every day cars and trucks. Seriously you take a car going far slower and do the same thing and the person inside is usually dead. Why I ask!?
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Yggdrasilly 5:32PM (8/06/2007)
"Ah'm inna air...
...tha's not good...nuh-uh..."
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jim 10:05PM (8/06/2007)
After Danica's confrontation with Wheldon in Milw., there were some who viewed her as whiney. Well the lady was right and Dario's accident shows why.
Trading paint is all fair in Nascar, but in open wheel racing trading rubber leads to a lot of expensive wrecks and hopefully no injuries.
Maybe Wheldon should go to Nascar.
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summazooma 10:29PM (8/06/2007)
Maybe he can take Robby Gordon's drive?
Galley 9:46AM (8/07/2007)
Why Dario Franchitti is my favorite IndyCar Series driver:
1. If it rains, you may get a chance to see Ashley Judd in a wet dress.
2. See no. 1.
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Yubastard 11:42AM (8/10/2007)
jaja! indeed
dailyCarVideos 4:53PM (8/07/2007)
watch other spectacular car crashes:
F1 Kubica crash:
http://dailycarvideos.com/2007/06/10/f1-montreal-kubica-crash/
GP2 Viso crash:
http://dailycarvideos.com/2007/07/01/gp2-viso-crash-magny-cours-2007/
F1 Hamilton crash:
http://dailycarvideos.com/2007/07/21/lewis-hamilton-crash-hockenheim-2007/
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