One in a series of season previews source: indycar.com / by indycar.com staff Dario Franchitti and Bryan Herta watched and supported teammates Tony Kanaan and Dan Wheldon as they won the past two IndyCar Series titles. Now they are hoping for success of their own. Both drivers return to race teams that had very little turnover during the off-season. That consistency has both drivers confident in their 2006 outlook. "Andretti Green Racing has proven to be one of the very best auto racing teams in the world, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of the team," Herta said. "I'm very glad to have the continuity of having XM Satellite Radio return as a sponsor and essentially the same group of engineers and mechanics working with me. This will be our third year with XM Satellite Radio. I think we made great strides last year and we hope to build on that." Herta won three poles and scored his second career victory with a dominating performance at Michigan International Speedway in late July. He hopes to build upon those results this season. "My expectations are the highest they have ever been as we head into the 2006 season," he said. "Right now, my focus is on winning races, and I really want to win the Indianapolis 500 this year. If I can accomplish the first two goals, then I think we will be in a great position to challenge for the championship. Franchitti and his crew will sport new sponsors - Klein Tools and Jim Beam - in 2006, while veteran team manager John Anderson, who oversaw Wheldon's 2005 season, moves over to call his races. "I'm very excited to be driving the Klein Tools/Jim Beam car in 2006; a car that has won the IndyCar Series championship," Franchitti said. "Both Klein Tools and Jim Beam have been a part of Andretti Green since the beginning and have shown tremendous dedication to our program. I'm looking forward to working with my new and old teammates, challenging them for the championship and putting Klein Tools and Jim Beam back into victory lane several times in 2006."
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