Motorsport

08th June 2007

First he emulated his great hero Jim Clark by becoming only the second Scot - and fourth Briton - to win the legendary Indianapolis 500.

Then, last weekend, he was second behind team-mate Tony Kanaan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to take the IndyCar series lead for the first time in his career. Although thrilled to be topping the championship, it's the Indy victory that means most to him - not least as he bagged an £800,000 jackpot.

"I feel incredibly privileged, especially when I got a good look at the trophy. I was in awe seeing some of the names that are on it, including my hero Jim Clark," said the 34-year-old. "It is absolutely amazing to think that I am going to be on it, too. It's such an honour."

Franchitti wasn't too upset to finish second behind his close friend Kanaan in Milwaukee, as the Brazilian had come extremely close to winning at Indy. Kanaan had been leading before a three-hour rain interruption, and it would have been his name on the famous Borg-Warner Trophy if the race had not been restarted.

Adding to British interest, Dan Wheldon bounced back from a disappointing Indy 500 to finish third on Sunday - and is now Franchitti's closest rival in the title race. Battle is set to be resumed this weekend under the floodlights in Texas.