CART: Andretti frustrated by changes at Rockingham

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 22, 2001

Corby, ENGLAND---It was a disappointing day for Team Motorola and driver Michael Andretti at the Rockingham Motor Speedway. After track construction crews worked around the clock trying to solve the water problem that was causing weepers on the 1.5-mile o val, Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) officially cancelled on-track activities at 2:00 p.m. local time. CART announced that qualifying had been scrubbed and the starting grid will be set according to Championship Points. With that parameter, Michael will start third tomorrow for the inaugural Rockingham 500. CART also restructured the race day schedule. The traditional 30-minute warm-up has been replaced with a two-hour practice session taking the Green Flag at 10 a.m. An installation check sessio n will then take place at 2:20 p.m., on-track for ten minutes. The 210-lap Rockingham 500 will then take the Green Flag at 3:10 p.m.

Michael Andretti, No. 39 Motorola/Honda-Reynard

"It's been an unbelievable two weeks and today feels like icing on the cake. You can't fight mother nature so we just have to be patient. As frustrating as this has been for the drivers, I know it's had to be more frustrating for the fans. The fans were great today, we did an hour autograph session and they were just happy to meet the drivers so I'm glad we could at least do that for them today. We came here hoping to put on a good show for the fans and unfortunately we haven't been able to do that yet.

It's a shame that we haven't been able to get out there yet but I know that CART and the track are working hard to get things in shape for tomorrow's race. As long as I get at least an hour on the track I think we'll be fine for the race."

Text provided by Jana Griffith

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