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Marco the Magnificent
IndyCar Series driver Marco Andretti, middle, is surrounded by dad Michael, left, and grandfather Mario after his first series win at Sonoma’s Infineon Raceway last August. The Motorola 300 race is Sunday at Infineon. D.M. Troutman photo | Buy photos
Andretti driving for another victory at Infineon Raceway
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CommentSONOMA — By the looks of the first half of Marco Andretti’s 2007 season, it would appear that the 20-year-old was suffering through a sophomore slump.
The Andretti Green Racing driver didn’t finish six of the season’s first seven races due to three accidents and three mechanical issues.
The Andretti Green Racing driver didn’t finish six of the season’s first seven races due to three accidents and three mechanical issues.
During the melee, Marco’s dad and team owner Michael took him aside.
“He was the first one to point out I wasn’t having fun,” Marco said. “I think that’s when drivers do their best work. Especially me. I’m in a profession I absolutely love. I’m glad there’s a sport called racing; if not I don’t know what I’d do.”
“He was the first one to point out I wasn’t having fun,” Marco said. “I think that’s when drivers do their best work. Especially me. I’m in a profession I absolutely love. I’m glad there’s a sport called racing; if not I don’t know what I’d do.”
Marco can’t seem to pinpoint what has changed with him, the car or the team — other than he just started to finish races.
“That’s all it is, really,” Marco said.
“That’s all it is, really,” Marco said.
Marco’s used to the spotlight regardless of what he’s doing. Both his dad and his grandpa Mario are considered two of the top race car drivers in history.
In other words, it’s in the blood. And despite the negative attention the sophomore received at the season’s start and the talk that maybe he wasn’t the “real thing,” he never second-guessed himself.
“I like that attention,” Marco admitted. “The more eyes the better. It’s a confidence booster. It doesn’t make me nervous at all. It’s tougher when no one’s paying attention.”
In the one race that the No. 26 car crossed the finish line during the first seven races, it finished just outside of the podium at fourth place. And in the second half, Marco has tallied five Top 5s, which include two second places.
“Whenever we finish a race we’re well in the Top 5,” Marco said. “I couldn’t get out of my own way at the beginning of the season. Those lucky saves from last year didn’t help me this year. It only makes you stronger. We shot our foot to start the season. Some stuff was out of my control and others were my mistakes. I couldn’t tell you what I’ve been doing differently (lately). Eventually it will just come your way.
“That’s the hardest part of any job — to overcome adversity. It’s tough to get through your head — I forced it. That’s when I do my best work.”
Some of Marco’s “best work” has been at Sonoma’s Infineon Raceway, where he’ll make another trip to this weekend for the Motorola Indy 300.
He notched his first-ever IndyCar Series win at the 12-turn, 2.26-mile road course last August and won in an IndyPro Series car the year before.
He says he’s always liked the track but isn’t sure why he’s had so much success there.
He also enjoys coming to the Napa Valley and is looking forward to next year’s trip when he’ll be 21 and can legally partake in a glass of Andretti wine, from his dad’s winery on Big Ranch Road.
Marco accompanied his dad and teammates Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanaan and Danica Patrick on Thursday evening for a Meals on Wheels Fundraiser that the Michael Andretti Foundation hosted at the winery.
Though Marco’s not in contention for the series championship, two of his teammates are. Indianapolis 500 winner Franchitti and Kanaan stand in first and third place, respectively.
Target Chip Ganassi teammates Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon are second and fourth while Sam Hornish Jr. rounds out the Top 5 who are still mathematically eligible for the crown.
Kanaan won Infineon’s inaugural race in 2005 and has grabbed the checkered flag a season-leading four times this year, including the previous two races.
When he won at Sonoma two years ago, he did 11 pushups in Winner’s Circle to commemorate his 7-11 sponsor.
The 32-year-old Kanaan has sort of taken Marco under his wing and the two spend time together off the track as well as on.
Marco is appreciative that on top of working for his admiring dad, he is a part of a close-knit team that gets along well and takes care of one another.
“He’s like a brother to me on and off the track,” Marco said of Kanaan.
“He’s got such a good heart. I think he has everything it takes to win. The will, desire. He’s as intense a driver as it gets when things don’t go his way. He’s helped me through the beginning of the season as much as anyone.”
Motorola Indy 300 practice begins today at 10 a.m. and again at 2 p.m.
Drivers jump on the track on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. for another round of practice before they qualify at 1 p.m.
Their last opportunity to practice comes Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. and pre-race ceremonies begin at 11:30 a.m., with the green flag dropping at 12:30 p.m.
In other words, it’s in the blood. And despite the negative attention the sophomore received at the season’s start and the talk that maybe he wasn’t the “real thing,” he never second-guessed himself.
“I like that attention,” Marco admitted. “The more eyes the better. It’s a confidence booster. It doesn’t make me nervous at all. It’s tougher when no one’s paying attention.”
In the one race that the No. 26 car crossed the finish line during the first seven races, it finished just outside of the podium at fourth place. And in the second half, Marco has tallied five Top 5s, which include two second places.
“Whenever we finish a race we’re well in the Top 5,” Marco said. “I couldn’t get out of my own way at the beginning of the season. Those lucky saves from last year didn’t help me this year. It only makes you stronger. We shot our foot to start the season. Some stuff was out of my control and others were my mistakes. I couldn’t tell you what I’ve been doing differently (lately). Eventually it will just come your way.
“That’s the hardest part of any job — to overcome adversity. It’s tough to get through your head — I forced it. That’s when I do my best work.”
Some of Marco’s “best work” has been at Sonoma’s Infineon Raceway, where he’ll make another trip to this weekend for the Motorola Indy 300.
He notched his first-ever IndyCar Series win at the 12-turn, 2.26-mile road course last August and won in an IndyPro Series car the year before.
He says he’s always liked the track but isn’t sure why he’s had so much success there.
He also enjoys coming to the Napa Valley and is looking forward to next year’s trip when he’ll be 21 and can legally partake in a glass of Andretti wine, from his dad’s winery on Big Ranch Road.
Marco accompanied his dad and teammates Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanaan and Danica Patrick on Thursday evening for a Meals on Wheels Fundraiser that the Michael Andretti Foundation hosted at the winery.
Though Marco’s not in contention for the series championship, two of his teammates are. Indianapolis 500 winner Franchitti and Kanaan stand in first and third place, respectively.
Target Chip Ganassi teammates Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon are second and fourth while Sam Hornish Jr. rounds out the Top 5 who are still mathematically eligible for the crown.
Kanaan won Infineon’s inaugural race in 2005 and has grabbed the checkered flag a season-leading four times this year, including the previous two races.
When he won at Sonoma two years ago, he did 11 pushups in Winner’s Circle to commemorate his 7-11 sponsor.
The 32-year-old Kanaan has sort of taken Marco under his wing and the two spend time together off the track as well as on.
Marco is appreciative that on top of working for his admiring dad, he is a part of a close-knit team that gets along well and takes care of one another.
“He’s like a brother to me on and off the track,” Marco said of Kanaan.
“He’s got such a good heart. I think he has everything it takes to win. The will, desire. He’s as intense a driver as it gets when things don’t go his way. He’s helped me through the beginning of the season as much as anyone.”
Motorola Indy 300 practice begins today at 10 a.m. and again at 2 p.m.
Drivers jump on the track on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. for another round of practice before they qualify at 1 p.m.
Their last opportunity to practice comes Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. and pre-race ceremonies begin at 11:30 a.m., with the green flag dropping at 12:30 p.m.
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