Franchitti signs extension with AGR for 2005.

Andretti Green Racing have announced today that Dario Franchitti will be returning as driver of the #27 ArcaEx Dallara/Honda/Firestone entry for the upcoming 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series season.

"We are very pleased to have Dario continue as the driver of the #27 ArcaEx machine," said Kevin Savoree, who owns the team along with partners Michael Andretti and Kim Green.

"The ArcaEx team earned two victories last season and we look for Dario and the ArcaEx team to challenge for the IndyCar Series championship in 2005."

Franchitti has driven the #27 ArcaEx entry during the past two seasons.

"I'm delighted to be back this season driving the #27 ArcaEx car for Andretti Green Racing," Franchitti said. "I hope to improve on the season we had in 2004. With a technical package that remains pretty much unchanged, I hope we can win more races and challenge for a championship."

The Scotsman earned two IndyCar Series victories in 2004, as well as the first IndyCar Series pole of his career. He put the #27 ArcaEx car on pole for the June 12 Bombardier 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, while his first victory came on July 25 at The Milwaukee Mile as he led a race-high 111 laps en route to the first IndyCar Series win of his career. His second victory came on August 22 in the Honda Indy 225 at Pikes Peak International Raceway.

For the season, he recorded five top fives, eight top 10s and led six races for a total of 349 laps and finished sixth in the final point standings.

AGR announced yesterday that it had reached an agreement with the ArcaEx to continue its role as a major sponsor on the #27 Honda-powered Dallara for the upcoming 2005 IndyCar Series season.

Andretti Green Racing will field a league-high four entries in the IndyCar Series in 2005, all of which will be powered by Honda engines.

In addition to Franchitti, Bryan Herta, Tony Kanaan and Dan Wheldon pilot the four AGR machines.