More Jim Clark memorabilia for Dario

Dario Franchitti not only respects Scottish racing legend Jim Clark, he is also an unabashed fan of the 1965 Indianapolis 500 winner.

Clark is easily considered one of the best to ever drive in the major open wheel categories, capturing the 1963 and 1965 Formula One championships before being tragically killed in a 1968 Formula 2 race at Hockenheim, Germany.

"I think he's a hero for any Scottish driver, and really one of the best drivers in the world ever," said Franchitti after capturing his first Indianapolis 500 win.

"One of the reasons that I was so pissed that I didn't win in 2005... was because it was 40 years since Jimmy Clark had done it," Franchitti recalled while mentioning another Scottish racing hero. "Jackie Stewart came over (in '05), watched the race. He's my old boss and obviously one of my heroes."

Franchitti has gone so far as creating a Jim Clark room in an old house he is restoring in Scotland with wife Ashley Judd.

"We made one of the rooms a Jim Clark room. I have all this Jim Clark memorabilia," said Franchitti who this Monday morning received even more Clark pictures from a veteran racing reporter.

Speaking of the special room, Dario added that it was "the only time I ever went and picked out tile. I had to get the tile to match his helmet."

Seeing the famous Borg-Warner trophy is starting to remind Franchitti of just what he has accomplished.

"It all kind of made sense when I turned around and looked at the trophy," said Franchitti who will soon see his own likeness on the famous trophy along with his racing heroes.

ORS / CAPSIS International