Franchitti Yet To Hit Top Gear

Mar 2 2008

Auto

DARIO FRANCHITTI'S tough introduction to NASCAR racing continued in Las Vegas where the 34-year-old Scot qualified for the UAW-Dodge 400.

The Bathgate driver, who won the Indy500 and IndyCar Championship last year, clocked a best time of 30.472 seconds, an average of 177.212mph.

However, NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader Kyle Busch bagged pole with a time of 29.613secs (182.325mph).

Rookie Franchitti remains realistic about his displays and insists it will take time to adapt to his new car.

He said: "I never pretended this season would be anything other than tough.

"Switching from singleseaters to stock cars is a quantum leap for me.

"But I'm getting there. I'm learning something with every qualifying session and race I drive in."