BREAKING Hype News: Dario Franchitti Announces His Retirement From Indy Car Racing

In a statement put out by the man himself just moments ago he officially announces his retirement from Indy Car racing due to injuries he suffered earlier this year during an accident in Houston.

You can read his official statement below:

Statement from Dario Franchitti:

“Since my racing accident in Houston, I have been in the expert care of some of the leading doctors and nurses, all of whom have made my health, my safety and my recovery their top priority.  I am eternally grateful for the medical care I have received over the last several weeks.  I’d also like to thank my family and friends for their unbelievable support.

One month removed from the crash and based upon the expert advice of the doctors who have treated and assessed my head and spinal injuries post accident, it is their best medical opinion that I must stop racing.  They have made it very clear that the risks involved in further racing are too great and could be detrimental to my long term well-being.  Based on this medical advice, I have no choice but to stop.

Racing has been my life for over 30 years and it’s really tough to think that the driving side is now over.  I was really looking forward to the 2014 season with Target Chip Ganassi Racing, with a goal of winning a fourth Indianapolis 500 and a fifth IndyCar Series championship.

I’d like to thank all my fellow competitors, teammates, crew and sponsors for their incredible support over the course of this amazing ride.  I’d also like to thank Hogan Racing, Team KOOL Green and Andretti Green Racing for the opportunities to compete on the racetrack, and especially Target Chip Ganassi Racing, who have become like a family to me since I joined their team back in 2008.  I would be remiss if I didn’t thank all my fans around the world.  I can’t thank you enough for standing by my side for all these years.

I’ll forever look back on my time racing in CART and the IndyCar Series with fond memories and the relationships I’ve forged in the sport will last a lifetime.

Hopefully in time, I’ll be able to continue in some off-track capacity with the IndyCar Series.  I love open-wheel racing and I want to see it succeed.  I’ll be working with Chip to see how I can stay involved with the team, and with all the amazing friends I’ve made over the years at Target.

As my buddy Greg Moore would say, ‘See you up front’”

As a fan of American open wheel racing I have watched Dario drive for years. I have always been a fan so this is a pretty sad day. However I give much kudos to Dario for taking the advice of medical professionals and having the inner strength to walk away from doing what he loves so much. It is much better for him to go out this way rather than for something horrible to happen in the future due to his injuries.

Hopefully as the man said, we will still see him in Indy Car in some other capacity in the future.

Thanks for the memories Dario!

[Source: Franchitti.com]