Franchitti eyeing new deal with Ganassi

INDIANAPOLIS, May 31 (UPI) -- Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti says he's ready to negotiate a new contract with Target Team owner Chip Ganassi.

Franchitti, who won the Indy 500 Sunday after having contemplated retirement following his 2007 victory, indicated Monday he and Ganassi will soon talk about a new deal for next year, The Indianapolis Star reported.

"Chip told me, you're not going to retire anytime soon, so I guess we'll start talking soon," the 37-year-old Franchitti told reporters during a victory photograph session on the front straightaway at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, one day after winning the iconic race.

"I love driving in this series, I love where this series is going ... and I still love what I'm doing. Long may it continue."

The Star said Franchitti, the defending Izod IndyCar Series champion, trails only Will Power in this year's driver points standings, his 14th on the circuit.

With Franchitti's win, Ganassi became the first owner to field a winner in both the Indy 500 and NASCAR's Daytona 500 in the same year.