Franchitti set to make Busch Series debut in Sam's Town 250

[Jeni]

ESPN.com news services

Updated: October 22, 2007, 8:49 PM ET
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 CONCORD, N.C. -- Dario Franchitti, who will drive the No. 40 Nextel Cup car at Chip Ganassi Racing next season, will make his NASCAR Busch Series debut Saturday at Memphis Motorsports Park in the Sam's Town 250.

The third official step in Franchitti's stock car learning curve will take place this weekend in the No. 42 Target Dodge Charger.

He began his move from the IRL to stock cars at the ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway two weeks ago and continued in last weekend's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway.

In preparation for the 250-lap Busch Series race, Franchitti is scheduled to spend Wednesday testing at Kentucky Speedway.

Franchitti is following a similar schedule to what Juan Pablo Montoya did last year during his transition to NASCAR. Montoya made his debut at Memphis, where he finished 11th.

He made his Nextel Cup debut in the season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Team owner Chip Ganassi has yet to reveal Franchitti's entire schedule.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this story.

From espn.com