Dario Franchitti is a name that resonates deeply in the world of motorsports, known for his remarkable achievements on the track. This Scottish driver became a household name by winning the Indianapolis 500 three times and securing four IndyCar championships between 2007 and 2011. Franchitti's skill and determination established him as a dominant force in open-wheel racing, earning him a reputation as one of the sport's greatest drivers.

Early Life

Dario Franchitti was born on May 19, 1973, in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland. His parents are George Franchitti, an ice cream parlor owner and amateur racing driver, and Marina Franchitti, who owns a company called Dario Hurtles. Dario's love for racing began at a very young age; his father gave him a go-kart with a Honda engine when he was just three years old. This early exposure to karting, along with visits to kart tracks, fueled his dream of becoming a racing driver.

At the age of eight, the family moved from Bathgate to Whitburn. Dario attended Stewart's Melville College in Edinburgh, where he began to show his talent in kart racing. In 1984, he won the Scottish Junior Karting Championship, and he continued to achieve success in the sport, winning the British Junior Championship in 1985 and 1986, and the Scottish senior title in 1988.

Career

Dario Franchitti is a retired Scottish racing driver and motorsport commentator. Born on May 19, 1973, in Edinburgh, Scotland, he began kart racing at the age of 10. He achieved early success in karting, winning numerous championships before moving to car racing at 17. His career included notable wins in various categories, particularly in the IndyCar Series and NASCAR.

Franchitti raced in the IndyCar Series from 1997 to 2013, winning four championships (2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011) and three Indianapolis 500 races (2007, 2010, and 2012). He recorded a total of 31 wins in 265 starts, making him one of the top drivers in the series' history.

He also competed in NASCAR but returned to IndyCar shortly after starting in NASCAR in 2008. Franchitti's career ended following a serious crash in 2013 that resulted in severe injuries, including two broken vertebrae and a concussion.

After retiring, he transitioned to roles such as a driver-coach and commentator, sharing his extensive knowledge of racing

Wife

Dario Franchitti is married to Eleanor Robb, who is a fund executive. They first met through a mutual friend, Pippa Mann, who is also an IndyCar racer. Dario and Eleanor started dating after Dario's serious car accident in 2013. They tied the knot in July 2015 in a private ceremony attended by close family and friends.

Eleanor was born on June 2, 1984, in London, England. She has had a successful career in finance, working for various investment firms. Together, Dario and Eleanor have two daughters, Sofia and Valentina.

Children

Dario Franchitti has two daughters with his wife Eleanor Robb. Their first daughter, Sofia, was born in November 2015, and their second daughter, Valentina, arrived in February 2019. Dario shares a close bond with his daughters, often sharing experiences like car rides and trips on social media. Notably, Sofia is the goddaughter of Dario's ex-wife, Ashley Judd, which adds a special connection between the families​.

Net Worth And Salary

Dario Franchitti has an estimated net worth of about $72 million. He earned most of this wealth from his successful career as a race car driver. Dario won the Indianapolis 500 three times, with significant prize money from these victories. For example, he earned around $2.75 million in 2010 when he won the race.

After retiring from racing due to injuries from a crash in 2013, Franchitti transitioned into roles as a motorsport commentator and actor. He has appeared in various TV shows and movies, which also contributed to his income.