Dario knew what he was getting into when the season started. He hoped that good performance would solve the ills of lack of sponsorship, but that never came. Then the #40 team started DNQ'ing and Ganassi has no tolerance for that.

Franchitti will continue to compete in the Nationwide series w/ a fully-sponsored team which is where he should have started anyway IMO. Sometimes I really wish NASCAR would implement a mandatory season, or some number of races in the Nationwide or Truck series before a rookie driver can make the jump to the Cup Series. Seems like it would be better for everyone in the sport, sponsors included, as it would slightly decrease the risk involved in pumping unknown drivers full of cash or leaving talented drivers sponsorless.

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"I think Davey had a way about him that made people feel special when he spoke with them. When he was around them he had just a rare quality that was truly a star quality. I think people were drawn to him because of that. It has really lasted all of these years. He was a great guy." -- Liz Allison

"What kind of man would live in a world where there is no daring? I don't believe in taking foolish chances, but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all." -- Charles Lindberg