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Tag: Michael Andretti

The Final Word – Celebrating the Memorial Day weekend with cola, milk, wine and Bieber

It was the year’s greatest race day, with three major events taking place. The Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500, and the World 600 could have meant a lot of couch time, never mind the latest episode of Game of Thrones, but I try to exercise while gazing at the tube. I mean, those sandwiches were not going to make themselves.

The Formula One action in Monte Carlo, visually, was the best of the lot. Sure, as far as action goes, it featured the world’s worst pit stop when Daniel Ricciardo was ordered to pit for tires. Sadly, despite all the high-tech gadgetry, the engineering brainiacs upstairs failed to inform those poor wretches at track level, so no rubber was ready. The time wasted allowed Lewis Hamilton to take over the lead and that was about it. While it might have been another case of fast cars playing follow the leader, it was done at a track no one should be following anyone at such speeds, never mind attempting to pass. The narrow streets, the overlooking apartments, the tunnel under the Fairmont Monte Carlo hotel, and those Leonardo DiCaprio seducing yachts in the harbor, all combined to make this quite the spectacle.

Then it happened. Down at track level were just a few special people. There were the teams, the top finishing drivers, Prince Albert II of Monaco…and Justin Bieber. Biebs. The man to whom Hamilton approached in celebration for high fives and back slaps. The man with whom Hamilton shared a drink from his huge bottle of champagne. Bloody Justin Bieber. My friends, the end of times are upon us.

Next up was Indianapolis for the 100th edition of their annual classic. They had enough accidents to make one wonder if NASCAR did not institute an open wheel division. When contender Juan Pablo Montoya wrecked early, to be followed by Helio Castroneves, Townsend Bell and Ryan Hunter-Reay making contact on pit road to punt themselves out of the running, we were left wondering who might be there in the end. That proved to be the fuel saving 24-year old Alexander Rossi of California in his maiden voyage for Michael Andretti and partners. Last year he ran a handful of events in F-1, but probably bolted due to the threat of a Bieber appearance.

Then it was time for the longest of the trio in Charlotte, North Carolina. 400 laps, 392 of them led by Martin Truex Jr. It was a lot like Monaco, with a widened track, fewer buildings and turns and no tunnel, along with some added fenders. Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, and Brad Keselowski aided the bride in walking down the aisle. It might not have had the bang of the other two events, but it also did not have Justin Bieber. Anywhere.

That was a good thing.

May 30, 2016
Marco Andretti ‘In A Good Place’

Marco Andretti, driver of the No. 27 Snapple Honda for Andretti Autosport, is not only racing on his home track in Pocono this weekend, but he is also feeling ‘in a good place’ in his eleventh year in IndyCar.

“I feel like I’m just coming into my own as a driver,” Andretti said. “I think it took a little too long, but I feel I’m in a good place.”

“I feel like we can compete anywhere we roll off,” Andretti continued. “That’s a good feeling.”

While Andretti feels he can compete anywhere, he is definitely looking forward to competing at the track where his family has so much history. In fact, his grandfather Mario has won at Pocono, his father Michael has finished third, and all three generations, including Marco, have sat on the Pocono Raceway pole.

“If this track was anywhere in the world, I would love to race here,” Andretti said. “I honestly think it’s made for these race cars.”

“It’s such a challenge, it’s so fun, and it presents good racing. And selfishly I can stay in my own bed.”

Andretti has had a bit of a love/hate relationship with Pocono, having had two starts, one from the pole, but only has a ninth place best finish to show for it. He can, however, make some history at the track if he completes 200 laps at Pocono and then the final 85 laps of the season at Sonoma.

If that occurs, Andretti would have completed 2,232 laps, joining competitor Tony Kanaan in the history books with his 3,305 laps completed.

Andretti may be in a good place but he will also be facing some challenges at a race track that is definitely unique, as well as tricky to boot. And this weekend, the race will pose an even bigger challenge with the introduction of the new aero kit that occurred for the 2015 season.

“I think it’s unknown because of how unique this place is,” Andretti said of the new aero package at Pocono. “We’re pretty similar to Indianapolis, I guess you could say, with just the configuration of the car, except for the rear wing, I believe.”

“Every track we’ve gone to this year has seemed to present a unique challenge. It’s different all the time. You can’t just roll off with previous setups and be successful.”

“We’ve been really working at it, just trying to stay with it.”

While comfortable at present, Andretti also has had some manufacturer changes to face when it comes to racing at his home track. In 2013, he ran with Chevy as his manufacturer and then last season ran with Honda as he is now.

“Quite honestly, I think Honda definitely had the better fuel mileage in 2013. But that was with the single turbo,” Andretti said. “As soon as they went to the double, I think Chevy definitely caught up in that respect.”

“But 2013 was too good to be true for a while,” Andretti continued. “We got a little mixed up with strategy. I don’t remember exactly the scenario. We led a ton of laps (88). The car was so good.”

“Then last year was my fault,” Andretti said. “I had a pit-lane violation. Even with one short yellow, we were able to keep it in the top-10 or come back to the top-10.”

“We had a decent car.”

Andretti is also feeling in a good place as far as his No. 27 team, including racing under the watchful eye of his father.

“Quite honestly, it’s been really good,” Andretti said. “I wouldn’t change anything on the 27 stand. Dad is extremely good at calling races. Dad and I, we’ve been getting along great.”

“I think we’ve been stronger. We let a few go, but I’m really happy with the 27 team in general across the board.”

“I don’t really know anything otherwise. We’ve just been making this deal work.”

Although Andretti acknowledged being in a good place behind the wheel of his IndyCar ride, he also thought that he might just consider a Formula One opportunity if offered.

“It depends on a lot of the logistics, for sure,” Andretti said. “I mean, Formula One is still the cream of the crop for me.”

“Having said that, it would be tough to leave because I am just coming into my own as a driver. Formula One would be like starting all over. The expectations wouldn’t be high maybe with that team. If you can go beat your teammate over there, that’s what people look at.”

“Yeah, I would definitely take a strong look at it. But my heart right now lies over here. Those cars are definitely fun, but this is what I’ve grown up doing.”

And just as he said for now, Andretti is in a good place and focused on getting the best finish that he can at Pocono, especially since he technically is not yet out of contention for the championship. Andretti currently sits in the seventh spot in the standings.

“It takes me staying out of trouble,” Andretti said. “You know, this is definitely one race that counts, especially this year.”

“If I have any hope for the title, it’s a must win for me. Even with a win, I need some misfortunes of a few other drivers.”

“Maybe some of the guys at the front, they’re going to be conservative, I just have to worry about me and try to maximize what we can do. The rest will hopefully take care of itself.”

“But we have to win this one for sure.”

August 22, 2015
Jarett Andretti, Third Generation Racer, Just Enjoying the Ride

Photo Credit: jarettandretti.com

Jarett Andretti may have a famous racing last name and racing in his blood, but for now he is simply enjoying the ride.

And for this third-generation driver, grandson of Aldo and son of John Andretti, the ride not only includes pursuing a college education but also racing sprint cars for the company owned by second cousin Michael Andretti.

“It started last year,” Andretti said. “Me and my dad were talking about what we wanted to do in the 2012 season.”

“And he said we should do dirt sprint cars,” Andretti continued. “And at that point, I had never even been in a dirt sprint car or driven too much on dirt.”

“We acquired different cars and we put together our best car to run,” Andretti said. “We didn’t run as good as we hoped to run.”

“So, this year we really knew what we were going to do,” Andretti continued. “We hired our crew chief, bought cars and a motor and Superior Auto came on board as a sponsor.”

“Everything fell in line to do 30 or 40 races this season in Indiana.”

Andretti’s new sponsor, Superior Auto, is also excited about partnering with the young driver as his career blossoms.

“Jarett is the next line of great racers in the Andretti family,” Chad Melchi, President of Superior Auto, said. “He’s proving himself to live in the footsteps of his great family name.”

“All of us at Superior Auto want to be a part of his journey as he continues to grow.”

Andretti actually has a unique racing resume, especially since he did not even start racing until he was 17 years old. Prior to that, he was a devoted soccer player and would have played in college except for being bitten by the racing bug.

“I played soccer for a long time and then my dad bought a go kart,” Andretti said. “He thought it would be fun to spend some time together but he might regret it after all this.”

“We didn’t know what the next step was but decided to go dirt sprint car racing,” Andretti continued. “I also got an opportunity to run Oswego Speedway in a super-modified class and won Rookie of the Year last year.”

“My career is like my father’s in a sense because I drive whatever I get the opportunity to be in,” Andretti said. “That’s why we wanted to do dirt sprint car too.”

“In Indiana you can run three nights a week,” Andretti continued. “So, when I’m not running on pavement, I’ll just get in the dirt sprint car and that will be great experience for me.”

In addition to racing whatever he can get his hands on, the young Andretti is also a sophomore at North Carolina State University, where he is studying business administration and marketing. And of course, his is all in at school where he participates in the honors program.

“It’s alright,” Andretti said about his classroom career. “On Thursday and Friday, I take online classes so I can go racing on the weekends.”

“But it’s tough to get back Sunday night or Monday morning and go to school and keep up with it all,” Andretti admitted. “There’s homework and studying during the week so I can go racing.”

“It balances out,” Andretti said. “You care about school and you want to go racing.”

“It’s a challenge to make it all work but it’s worth it.”

What also motivates the young racer is the support of his family, especially since they have allowed him to find his own way in the sport.

“There was no pressure about racing from my family,” Andretti said. “In fact, my mom has been quoted as saying “I kept him out of it this long.” So, that was her accomplishment.”

“But my family has been nothing but supportive,” Andretti continued. “My father has been supportive and has given me guidance.”

“My mom is supportive as well with me being away at college and then away racing too,” Andretti said. “She takes care of my two younger sisters and they have been supportive as well.”

“So, it’s a family effort, even with my grandfather Aldo, who comes to the track and is over there washing the car,” Andretti continued. “Mario, Michael and Marco are also supportive as well.”

“Michael let me test in October so it’s all a family effort like most things.”

So what does the future hold for the youngest Andretti racer?

“I think it’s tough to answer because it’s where the opportunity falls,” Andretti said. “I’d be happy to run Le Mans and Daytona and run dirt the rest of the year.”

“I’m not picky about where I go,” Andretti continued. “I think the opportunity will be something with fenders, either in sports cars or NASCAR.”

“IndyCar right now doesn’t seem to have many opportunities for young kids and that’s disappointing,” Andretti said. “But that’s the way it is.”

“Really, I just want to win races,” Andretti said. “And I just like to drive race cars.”

“Right now, I’m just enjoying the ride.”

January 29, 2013
Sage Karam: Driving to the Future

[media-credit name=”Photo Credit: IndyCar.com” align=”alignright” width=”250″][/media-credit]If you don’t know him yet, Sage Karam is the young phenomenal driver competing in the Star Mazda Championship for Andretti Autosport. The Nazareth, Pennsylvania native has amassed numerous accomplishments throughout his young career and has his sights set on a successful future in the world of open-wheel racing. Karam won nine races throughout the 2010 USF2000 Championship and graduated to the Star Mazda Series in 2011. In his rookie season in Star Mazda, Karam won two races and earned the Rookie of the Year award.

The youngest winner in USF2000 and the Star Mazda Championship has six top-five finishes in his sophomore season thus far and will be competing August 4th and 5th at one of his favorite venues on the schedule, Trois-Rivieres. With this list of credentials, the world needs to know one of open-wheels future stars. The Andretti Autosport driver took a few moments to interview with me and provided some great insight on who he is and what makes him a great race car driver.

What attracted you to racing?

“The Andretti’s are my neighbors and my parents were fans of Michael. I guess I was always exposed to IndyCar racing since I was very young.”

What’s your favorite track on the Star Mazda Championship Series schedule?

“That’s a tough question because the series is so diverse. I love the atmosphere of competing at Lucas Oil Raceway during the Indy 500 weekend – that’s huge! From a driver’s standpoint, Toronto brings out the best in you. But the fans at Trois-Rivieres know their racing and pack the stands. I guess it’s difficult to narrow it down to just one! Sorry.”

You were rookie of the year in Star Mazda in 2011, what’s the next big feat you would like to accomplish?

“Well, I am not closing the book on the 2012 Star Mazda Championship yet. We are really hot right now and I am more confident than ever in the car. The Star Mazda series really took my driving to the next level. I know I am prepared for Indy Lights, but if I am forced to stay another year in Star Mazda, I am prepared to do that too.”

Driving for Michael Andretti puts you in an environment with many successful people, how are you able to utilize this to your advantage?

“The expectations at AA are extremely high for every driver and employee on the team. Michael has me in that seat for a reason, if he didn’t believe in me, I wouldn’t be there. With that in mind, I never want to let him down. Everybody kept asking why I was so upset with getting two 2nd places at Edmonton over the weekend, and my response to that is my expectations are higher and my team deserves better. The resources on our team, for a young driver are plentiful. For example, I watched in-cars of RHR and Hinch when we rolled into Edmonton last weekend. Hinch then also took the time to review my in-car at the end of the day on Friday. The chemistry on the team is awesome and everybody works together. Marco always finds time to stop by on race weekends to check on me too. If I do well, he is one of the first people to send me a text or Tweet. It’s a pretty big deal when the Lights team engineers and mechanics stop by to watch your qualifying or race. Michael is at almost every session to observe. I always want to impress him and it probably takes my driving to the level too.”

What is your most cherished memory of your career to date?

“Fortunately, I have a lot of great memories. Some of them include being the first driver to get Michael his first win as owner of the rebranded Andretti Autosport (USF2000 St. Pete 2010). Winning the USF2000 title in the manner we did was awesome too. We set a lot of tracks records in USF2000 and Star Mazda which is always cool. Being the youngest winner of the Skip Barber shootout, and youngest winner in both the USF2000 and Star Mazda series is a milestone too. But probably the thing I take the biggest pride in is back in 2011 when we took a new driver in me, a new car (Star Mazda) for the Andretti Autosport team, and developed the car and driver to a respectable level without a teammate. I was the youngest driver in the series, turning 16 just two weeks before the first race.”

Who is your all time favorite driver and what do you admire about him?

“I grew up watching Michael Andretti and always enjoyed the confidence he demonstrated on the track. I love watching vids of Senna’s races and admire his passion to be the best. Both of these drivers commanded attention.”

A great sportsman never gives up, after starting in the back of the field in the 2nd Toronto race you drove like a man possessed to finish 3rd. Where does your motivation and drive for success come from?

“I guess I am just hardwired for this. We (my sister) were always taught growing up that nothing matters after first place. But we also were taught the value of sacrifice and hard work. I was angry in Toronto we didn’t have another lap so I could win the race. I woke up that Sunday morning (Toronto race #2), and I was looking to my dad for advice. He gives me advice whether I want it or not (haha). I asked him where he thought I’d finish the race since I was starting in last? He knows I am a student of the sport, and he said, “What would Senna do if he were in your shoes?” I knew immediately what my assignment was. Racing means everything to me. It is an everyday thing for me, not just something I do on the weekends or part time. Some drivers want to be a champion today, some tomorrow, for me, it’s an everyday thing. It’s all that I think about. My family has made great sacrifices to get me to this point. My manager and sponsor, Michael Fux, has put a lot of faith in my talent. So, to go out and race without passion and a true desire to win, is senseless to me.”

What is a typical week like for you during the season?

“Every morning, without exception, I meet my dad at the gym and we strength train hard. Then he takes me through a cardio workout of swimming or some type of running. He is my trainer and our relationship actually works out really well. He was Michael Andretti’s trainer when Michael competed. He has trained other drivers and probably the best guy to get you in serious shape. I workout very hard, because I never want to get in the car knowing any other driver outworked me. The very least you can do as a driver, even if you are not that talented, is to show up on race weekends in top shape. After training, I hang with my friends and we usually go fishing four or five days a week. I tried to get a part time job this summer, but nobody would hire me because of my racing schedule. I will be going into 11th grade this fall so my schedule will revolve around academics, tutors, wrestling practice and trying to fit time in for my friends. I usually wash my car once or twice a week and I enjoy keeping it looking sharp. I go on iRacing a couple of times a week to train at upcoming tracks too. I always have to complete a pre-race and post-race report for my engineer from my home computer.”

July 31, 2012
Marco Andretti Puts Andretti Autosport Back on Track with Win at Iowa

[media-credit id=2 align=”aligncenter” width=”500″][/media-credit]
Marco Andretti (26) and Tony Kanaan (82) battle for the lead late in the race at Iowa Speedway.
Since 2003, Andretti Autosport has been competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series and since, they have three championships, two Indianapolis 500 victories and 36 wins. The problem was none of that success came recently – till last Saturday.

Last Saturday, Marco Andretti won the Corn Indy 250 presented by Pioneer at Iowa Speedway on June 25th, 0.7932 seconds over Tony Kanaan.

“It was a big win for us for sure,” team owner Michael Andretti said. “I think a lot of people were really pounding on us and thought we were down and out, but I can tell you this team has got tons of fight in it and we are never out.”

[media-credit id=2 align=”alignright” width=”275″][/media-credit]
Marco Andretti holds the Iowa Indy Corn 250 trophy after winning Saturday's race in Newton, Iowa.
Back in 2007 with Dario Franchitti, the team won the Indianapolis 500 and the championship and in their first four season, had a total of four victories. Though since then, they had yet to find that type of success.

This year has been a different story as they won earlier this season with Mike Conway and now with Andretti.

“I’m happy for all the Venom guys; they did a great job,” Michael Andretti continued. “The last pit stop they brought him out P1. They did it when we needed it. It was just really truly a team effort, and Marco drove a hell of a race there in the end. He was beating the best. He had Tony out there, he had Dario, (Scott) Dixon and he drove very well there in the end.

“I’m just so happy and relieved for (Marco). There’s been a huge monkey on his back, and it was on mine, as well. There was just a lot of pressure on us, him as a driver, me as an owner, because of some of the past things that happened at Indy and stuff. So to come back and win like this, it was just a great, great day.”

Nine races into the year, Andretti Autosports’ four drivers Danica Patrick, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Conway and Andretti have scored four top-fives and 12 top-10 finishes. While Andretti won the Iowa race, Patrick posted her third consecutive top 10 after starting on the front row while Hunter-Reay finished eighth.

Meanwhile, for Andretti, the win marked Andretti’s first win since Infineon Raceway in 2006 (stretching 78-races).

“We’ve been in a position to win a lot of races and we’ve come up short,” Andretti said. “I never doubted the team, never doubted myself. I always said as soon as the stars were aligned and a little bit of luck goes my way that we’d be sitting here.

“I think it’s just the drought, so to speak, just made me appreciate what we have here in IndyCar racing. From the drivers to the teams, it just makes us appreciate being here that much more because we know we beat those guys. The competition is unbelievable.”

June 27, 2011