CART: Michael Andretti is where he needs to be at mid season
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
July 18, 2001Indianapolis, IN-Team Motorola and driver Michael Andretti are right where they want to be at the mid-point of the CART FedEx Championship Series season; fresh from a victory in Toronto and in second place in the championship race. Andretti and his Team M otorola crew pulled an incredible coup last weekend in Toronto, coming from dead last to first to score their first victory as a team and Andretti's 41st as a Champ Car driver. This finish, as well as the team's second place in Milwaukee has continued to propel the team in their quest for the championship.
Andretti and Team Motorola will now move on to Michigan International Speedway, another venue where Andretti has been very successful. Michael and the team are pleased with their momentum going into the 500-mile race at the Michigan SuperSpeedway. "We'v e broken the ice with our first win in Toronto and I think we're on a roll for a championship," said Andretti. "We're not just any rookie team, we're a rookie team with a lot of experience, and a rookie team who knows how to win."
This will be Andretti's 18th visit to Michigan International Speedway and in years past this venue has been a good one for Michael. Andretti has scored two victories and three podiums and in 2000 was involved in the third closest finish in CART history. "Last year was a great race," Andretti said. "Juan (Montoya) and I raced wheel to wheel the last 20 laps and I think had there been one more lap, it might have been a different result. It is always a good race at Michigan, it definitely is great for the fans with the closeness of the competition."
Andretti and Team Motorola have had reasonable success in their oval outings this season. Although in Japan a mechanical took them out of the race on lap 33, the team has finished the other ovals in the top six--Nazareth sixth, Indianapolis third and in M ilwaukee, second place. Team Motorola team manager Tony Cotman is looking forward to their return to Michigan and an oval. "I'm definitely happy to be back at Michigan because it's always good racing," Cotman said. "But I think Michigan will be more ab out survival than speed. Our goal will be race day set-up and making sure that Michael has a comfortable, well-balanced car. Michael has always been tough at Michigan so hopefully we can give him a good car and Team Motorola can finish the day with champ ionship points."
Team Motorola and Andretti begin practice on Friday, July 20 at 9:30 a.m. The Michigan 500 will be shown live on ABC on Sunday, July 22 beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Text provided by Jana Griffith
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