Franchitti, Ganassi nominated for Economaki award

Three-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti and his team owner Chip Ganassi are among the 11 finalists for the Economaki Champion of Champions award.

The award is annually given to the North American racing champion judged to have had the best season on and off the track. It is named after legendary motorsports journalist and publisher Chris Economaki who began editing National Speed Sport News in 1950. National Speed Sport News is often and accurately described as "The bible of Motorsports." Itis the weekly must-read for serious fans, drivers and crew, and industry leaders alike.

Ganassi is the first team owner nominated for this award after his cars won the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400. As well, he claimed the IZOD IndyCar Series championship with Franchitti and the Grand Am Rolex Series crown with Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas.

Joining Ganassi and Franchitti as nominees are NHRA champions John Force and Larry Dixon, NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, Grand Am Rolex Series champions Scott Pruett/Memo Rojas, Short track champions Tim Shaffer (O'Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions), Jason Meyers (World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series) Scott Bloomquist (Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series), Levi Jones (USAC Sprint Car, Silver Crown Series) and Bryan Clauson (USAC Mopar National Midget Series).