Rumor: IndyCar icon Dario Franchitti speculated for blockbuster NASCAR return at St. Petersburg

Dario Franchitti has been rumoured to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this season. The 52-year-old is among the most respected names in motorsports. He began his career in European racing before moving to the US.

The Scot's career ended after a serious crash in an IndyCar race in 2013. However, according to reports, he might race for Toyota at the St. Petersburg Truck Series race, marking his first competitive racing return in 12 years. He is also scheduled to compete later this month at the Dubai 24 Hours endurance race.

Franchitti rose to prominence with four IndyCar titles and three Indy 500 victories and has had success in sports car events, including winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2008.

In the middle of his career, Dario Franchitti also tried stock car racing. He made a brief move to the top-three NASCAR national series between 2007 and 2008. Those starts gave him experience outside open-wheel cars, but did not turn into a long NASCAR career. In the years after retirement, Franchitti took up off-track opportunities as a coach and commentator and worked with Chip Ganassi Racing and as a pundit for Formula E broadcasts.

Since 2013, his actual time behind the wheel has been mostly in historic and club events, not full-on professional races. He is one of Goodwood's MVPs, where he competed in classic car races and revival events.

The St. Petersburg Truck race, which is scheduled for February 28, will be the first time the series competes on a street course. However, Franchitti has not announced a NASCAR return. He is only confirmed to make his competitive racing return at the Dubai Autodrome.

Dario Franchitti to race in Dubai this month

Syndication: Journal Sentinel - Source: Imagn

Dario Franchitti is also preparing to return to competitive sports car racing for the first time since his crash at Houston. He fractured his spine, broke his right ankle, and suffered a concussion in an October 2013 crash. Doctors had advised him that further racing would pose too great a risk to his long-term health, and he stepped away from competition.

But last year, Franchitti signed with Team Parker Racing to drive a Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO in the Michelin 24H Dubai endurance race on January 17-18, 2026. He will share the No. 31 car with Rob Huff, Shaun Lynn, and Max Lynn. The car will have an art car livery created by Stefan Johansson, a former F1 and Le Mans driver turned artist.

Dario Franchitti had claimed an overall win at the 2008 Rolex 24 at Daytona with Chip Ganassi Racing. But this race will be his first serious racing entry in many years and his first in a contemporary GT car.

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Edited by Hitesh Nigam