IZOD IndyCar Series stars hit big screen in animated feature “Turbo”
Franchitti was technical consultant on the 3D film about a common garden snail who dreams of competing in the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race against his idol Gagne. When a freak accident and multiple circumstances collide, Theo finds himself at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Franchitti, Team Penske's Will Power and Indy car legend Mario Andretti have cameo voices in the movie. Andretti is the voice of a member of the Speedway Safety Patrol. Franchitti and Power are journalists.
"Basically, I went to a studio at DreamWorks with a microphone and a script and just acted out," Power said. "We went through a bunch of different scenarios. One was a bus driver, one was in a driver's meeting and one was a reporter. I'm thrilled; I made the cut."
Added Andretti: "I welcomed the opportunity obviously to be a part of it to some degree. Just to be part of it in a cameo I think is wonderful. Every time that I'm taken on the inside and shown everything that goes into a production is overwhelming. They were so kind. We went through all the different departments and spoke to so many people. They even had a Team Andretti there. With so many talented people I was wondering what my payroll was. We had fun.
"(DreamWorks Animation storyboard artists) made sure they are capturing the essence of what it's all about. They showed me bits and pieces of the film and when Turbo is doing his lap I knew exactly where he was on the racetrack. They capture all the idiosyncrasies, which is what it's all about. They studied it in and out to bring that certain reality to it and that's what these new animations are all about.
"It's wonderful that they're featuring Indianapolis and our biggest race. It's known around the world and it plays very well. The reach is tremendous and what it does for the exposure of our sport is golden."