Franchitti has remained an integral part of Ganassi since his injury-enforced retirement from the cockpit late last year, and now holds an advisor role.

His departure came at the same time that the team has also been adapting to the switch from Honda to Chevrolet power, and to the addition of a fourth car after scaling back to three for 2013.

Reigning series champion Dixon said that Franchitti’s input has been of huge benefit as the team adapts to the changes.

“The biggest part is that [team owner] Chip [Ganassi] has kept him at the team,” Dixon said.

“Everybody knows he is extremely smart, and very good at seeing something and relaying information in a way that is definitely useable.

“We’ve lost him as a fellow competitor, but gained him as a good person to lean on and pull information from.”

Kimball, who earned the first win of his career at Mid-Ohio last year, said that the continuity provided by having Franchitti around is making it easier for the team to adapt to new arrivals Tony Kanaan and Ryan Briscoe.

“Obviously Scott and I have a little bit of a history and a relationship, but working with those guys [is new],” said the American.

“It was tough at the end of last year to lose Dario as a team-mate, but having Dario as a mentor and as an advisor to the team has been really helpful.”

Franchitti has been a regular presence at the Ganassi’s pre-season tests, although the team is yet to reveal how many races he will attend during the year.