Franchitti’s in the wars in Kentucky

Scottish IndyCar star Dario Franchitti’s fight to win his first US crown is under threat after he crashed for the second race on the trot.

In the weekend’s round in Ken-tucky, Dario collided with Japanese Kosuke Matsuura at the finish line. Although his car flipped and smashed into a wall, he still managed to come eighth. He’d survived a big accident at the previous round in Michigan, where he accused Dan Wheldon of punting him off. Franchitti’s car became airborne before landing on Scott Dixon’s following machine.

Dario, who had been fighting for the lead in Kentucky before sliding wide and then running into a cone in the pitlane, said: “I’m disgusted with myself right now. I made my feelings clear on last week’s incident and where I thought the blame was, but this was all down to me.”

Brazilian Tony Kanaan won both races and has now pulled to within 52 points of Franchitti with Dixon, who was second in Kentucky, only eight points behind the Scot.

Kanaan warned: “Nobody’s talking about me as a contender and I like that. I don’t have any pressure.” Wheldon retired but dropped further back in fourth place in the championship chase, while fellow Brit Darren Manning finished 13th.