IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard's series of interviews with drivers heading into this weekend's season finale in Las Vegas continued Wednesday with championship leader Dario Franchitti.
As with Will Power Tuesday, Bernard revealed the interview via his Twitter page (@RBINDYCAR) with Franchitti (@dariofranchitti).
Franchitti addressed Bernard's first question asking his biggest concern going into Las Vegas with a simple answer, "Just trying to win the championship."
Bernard asked whether fan interaction will still be a heavy part of the weekend for the three-time champion, and it will. Franchitti plans a ticket giveaway at a Thursday night Exhibition event on Las Vegas Blvd., two autograph sessions and a chat Saturday morning at 10 a.m. local time.
With three more career wins, Franchitti will have scored 33 in his career and be the first non-American in that group in career open-wheel victories. A more pressing concern, which was Bernard's fourth question, addressed Franchitti's preference of Scotch, being from Scotland.
“Any whiskey made in Scotland!!” Franchitti replied.
Finally, answering about his being referred to as “princess” by championship challenger Will Power, Franchitti said it actually could be considered an inside joke going back to his early years in the CART championship. He didn't resist a chance at a dig, though.
“My old engineer Don Halliday used to call me Princess (because) I was so particular about my seat and the inside of the car – and I still am!” Franchitti replied. “I thought it was quite funny, Will was obviously having a meltdown which has happened a few times this year. He has turned into a bit of a drama queen and done a good job of painting himself as hard done by…it hasn't slowed him down any, though!!”
Bernard will reveal his next interviewee via his Twitter page.