Robby Gordon to replace Franchitti at Indy.

Current NASCAR Winston Cup driver Robby Gordon has been named as the official replacement for Dario Franchitti in Andretti-Green Racing's four-car line-up for this year's Indy 500.

Gordon will drive the #27 Alpine/Archipelago/Motorola/Budweiser Dallara-Honda campaigned by Franchitti during the opening two rounds of the 2003 IRL IndyCar Series before the Scottish born driver injured his back in a motorbike accident near his family home in Edinburgh, Scotland earlier this month.

Although a regular on the NASCAR Winston Cup tour, the 34 year-old Gordon drove open-wheel Indy-style cars for many years after starting out racing off-road and has amassed a total of eight previous Indy 500 starts despite the CART/IRL split.

Gordon, who ran out of fuel less than two laps from home while leading the 1999 Indy 500, will run both the '500' and NASCAR's Coca Cola 600 on May 25, marking the fourth time in his career he has attempted to run both events in one day. Last season Gordon successfully completed the Memorial Day double," finishing eighth in the Indianapolis 500 and 16th in the 600-mile Winston Cup event held annually at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte. He also attempted the 'Daily Double' in 1997 and 2001.

"I'm thrilled to have the chance to attempt one of the ultimate racing challenges again this year and hopefully win both races," said Gordon. "I've run the Indy 500 eight times and been competitive and run near the front each year. I certainly haven't given up on the goal of winning both races and hope 2003 will be my year to do it. Running in an Andretti Green prepared-car will no doubt give me a good shot at having one win down and one to go when I head to Charlotte that afternoon."

Gordon, who drives the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Richard Childress Racing, is currently in 14th place in the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup point standings and finished sixth at the season-opening Daytona 500. He won the 2001 season-ending Winston Cup race at New Hampshire International Speedway.

"I want to thank Richard, all of the guys on the Cingular Wireless team, and everyone at RCR for letting me chase one of my dreams," said Gordon. Gordon owns five top 10 finishes in his eight Indianapolis 500 starts.

"Having Robby in our car for the month of May gives us a great shot to win the Indy 500, although we expect all four of our cars to compete for the win," said team co-owner Michael Andretti, who is set to retire from active competition after the event. "It's just peace of mind for us, knowing we've added another veteran in our lineup who knows his way around the Speedway and knows how to prepare for the biggest race of the year."

Three-quarters of the AGR Indy 500 line-up is now complete with Gordon joining Andretti and British rookie Dan Wheldon. Tony Kanaan is still facing a race against time to recover from a broken arm while Mario Andretti now looks less and less likely to qualify Kanaan's car after his horrifying practice crash on Wednesday.

Gordon's Winston Cup rival, John Andretti, has also been linked with a possible ride with AGR should Kanaan fail to recover in time for qualifying.