Blankets & Throws: Dario Franchitti

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Dario Franchitti has surgery after Houston crash

A crash sent IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti's car flying into the fence.

Dario Franchitti underwent surgery to stabilize his broken right ankle after the IndyCar driver went airborne and crashed into the catchfence at a race in Houston, his Target Chip Ganassi Racing team said Monday.

Franchitti, 40, also suffered two spinal fractures and a concussion Sunday but was "awake and alert" when he was admitted to Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center, the team said.

An IndyCar official and two fans also were taken to a hospital for treatment, IndyCar said. They were among several spectators injured by debris from Franchitti's crash.

Franchitti, a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner and four-time series champion, issued a statement thanking "everyone for all the well-wishes."

Ganassi said Franchitti would remain in Houston for a few days and then be taken to Indianapolis for further evaluation.

There is one race left in IndyCar's season, at Fontana on Oct. 19.

Jim Peltz

ETC.

Beckham earned $26 million

David Beckham earned more than $26 million from personal sponsorship deals in his final full year as a soccer player.

The former England captain retired from playing in May after five months at Paris St.-Germain, having left Major League Soccer in December 2012 following more than five years with the Galaxy.

Alex Rodriguez's lawsuit claiming Major League Baseball and Commissioner Bud Selig went on a "witch hunt" to force him from the sport has been moved from state to federal court.

MLB filed a notice of removal Monday, saying claims by the New York Yankees third baseman are governed by federal law.

Lorna G. SchofieldKevin N. Fox

Texas Tech Coach Kliff Kingsbury said starting quarterback Baker Mayfield's right knee has no structural damage after the freshman was injured during the No. 20 Red Raiders' win at Kansas.

Kingsbury said he's not sure whether Mayfield will start or even play against Iowa State this week.

Michigan defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins will sit out the rest of the season after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees during Saturday's win over Minnesota.

Ernie Dunlevie, co-founder of the Palm Springs Golf Classic, the PGA Tour event now known as the Humana Challenge, died Sunday from complications of cancer. He was 96. The tournament has been played since 1960.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-newswire-20131008,0,814960.story

Monday, October 7, 2013

Dario Franchitti crash: Driver, 13 spectators injured after IndyCar wreck

Dario Franchitti and 13 people were injured when Franchittis car got airborne during a crash in Sundays IndyCar Grand Prix of Houston.

A violent crash saw Dario Franchitti's car get airborne and crash into the catchfence on the penultimate lap of the IndyCar Grand Prix of Houston on Sunday.

Franchitti was quickly attended to by on-track medical personnel and was seen moving inside the cockpit. He was eventually put on a stretcher and transported to nearby Hermann Texas Hospital.

The four-time IndyCar champion and three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 was diagnosed with two spinal fractures that will not require surgery, a fracture to his right ankle and a concussion. He will be held overnight for observation.

Team owner Chip Ganassi told NBC Sports Network that the four-time IndyCar champion was alert and awake immediately following the accident, but had soreness in his ankle and back.

"He's talking," Ganassi said. "His ankle is a little sore and his back is a little sore. He's going to take a trip to the hospital, but he is OK."

Debris from Franchitti's car, along with pieces of the catchfence, flew into the grandstands. KTRK-TV is reporting at least 13 spectators were injured and most received treatment at the scene. Two people had to be transported to local medical facilities for further evaluation, according to the Houston Fire Department.

The incident occurred as Takuma Sato slowed on the high-speed, blind turn section of the temporary street course located in downtown Houston. Franchitti struck the rear of Sato's slowing car, vaulting him into the catchfence and sending debris field into the grandstands. The car of E.J. Viso was also involved, but both he and Sato escaped without injury.

Franchitti's accident is commonly seen in IndyCar, though typically on ovals and rarely on street courses.

Following the death of Dan Wheldon two years ago at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (a 1.5-mile oval), IndyCar introduced a new car with numerous safety features -- including rear wheel covers designed to reduce cars getting airborne after wheel contact.