Birthday: May 19, 1973
Hometown: Edinburgh, Scotland
Residence: Nashville, Tenn.

A Scotsman of Italian heritage, Dario Franchitti is known as one of the IndyCar Series' most intense personalities.

Franchitti got his first big break when he competed as part of Formula One driver Jackie Stewart and son Paul's "Staircase of Talent" in the early 1990s. The young Scot felt as if royalty was calling the day the telephone rang, and the Formula One legend was on the other end of the line.

Franchitti, who is married to actress Ashley Judd, has a quick-wit and personality and it's easy to understand why he enjoys a certain degree of fame but prefers to be thought of as just another "down home" guy who lives in the mountains of Tennessee.

INDYCAR SERIES HIGHLIGHTS

First start: May 26, 2002 (Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
First victory: July 25, 2004 (The Milwaukee Mile)
First pole: June 10, 2004 (Texas Motor Speedway)

2008
● Made debut for Target Chip Ganassi Racing in non-points-paying race at Surfers Paradise, Australia, in October after driving for Ganassi Racing in NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series.

2007
● Won IndyCar Series championship for Andretti Green Racing.
● Won four races, including the Indianapolis 500, and three poles.