WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Retired IndyCar star Dario Franchitti said he has been texting with Dale Earnhardt Jr. to offer his support after Earnhardt announced this week that he will sit out the rest of the 2016 season because of the continuing effects of concussions.
Franchitti, who retired from competition on the advice of doctors after a violent crash at the 2013 Houston Grand Prix, said he has monitored Earnhardt's situation closely. Earnhardt missed the last six Sprint Cup Series races before deciding to end his 2016 campaign, but he has expressed his desire to return to the seat of the No.