Franchitti appears to be staying in NASCAR

UPDATE #2 This rumor is downgraded to 'false' with the announcement today by Target Chip Ganassi Racing that Dario Franchitti will replace Dan Wheldon in the No. 10 IndyCar next year.

07/27/08 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' with this story that Franchitti has agreed to step down to NASCAR's AAA farm league – the Nationwide Series with the Ganassi team where he will also run as a backmarker.

07/09/08 It appears former IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti is remaining in NASCAR, at least for time being. According to NASCAR's most recent entry list for this weekend's Nationwide race at Chicagoland Speedway, Franchitti is now driving the No. 40 in Friday night's Dollar General 300, replacing rookie Bryan Clausen, who was originally scheduled to be in the car. Ganassi has gone on record as saying Daio can stay in NASCAR and drive his Nationwide car the rest of the year, but we are not sure what would happen to Clausen if that were to happen. Perhaps he will share the No. 40 with Dario.