Franchitti NASCAR deal worth $30 million

UPDATE According to what we hear Franchitti will be making around $10M per year with merchandise sales for 5 years for around $50M, not $30M as reported by the London Times.

09/11/07 Dario Franchitti has been handed the chance of a $30 million (about £14.8 million) NASCAR contract according to the London Times to make him one of the richest British racing drivers in history after winning the IndyCar championship at a dramatic last-gasp final race of the season.

The victory means more riches for one of the highest-earning British sportsmen, even though he is little known at home. Apart from his $1 million championship prize money, he is being tempted to join the NASCAR series, the USA’s most popular form of motorsport. He says he needs a fortnight to consider his options but the estimated $30 million deal could tempt him, ironically, to follow Montoya, who left Formula One for NASCAR last year.