Bathgate’s Dario Franchitti narrowly missed out on a podium finish on his return to the IndyCar Championship when he finished fourth in the opening round at St Petersburg in Florida.
The 35-year-old, who started fifth on the grid, battled at the head of the field in his Target Ganassi car throughout the 100-lap race to finish just 0.5740secs behind Aussie winner, Penske’s Ryan Briscoe.
“We came close, but because overtaking’s so difficult on this narrow street circuit we had to settle for fourth,” the 2007 IndyCar champ and Indy500 winner said immediately after the race.
“The main thing is we know we have a competitive car and we can mount a serious challenge for the championship. Of course it would have been terrific to have started with a win or a podium, but I have to be content with fourth.”
Briscoe finished 0.4619s ahead of second-placed Ryan Hunter-Reay, with England’s former F1 racer Justin Wilson third. Franchitti’s team-mate, defending champ and Kiwi Scott Dixon, retired on lap 48 of the 100 after contact with Hideki Mutoh.
JM