CART: Andretti ready to keep high finishes alive at Detroit
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
June 12, 2001Indianapolis, IN-Team Motorola and driver Michael Andretti are coming off back-to-back podium finishes (third in Indianapolis and a second in Milwaukee) and feel that a positive momentum is building for the first year team. They have moved up to eighth in the CART championship with 36 points and are looking to continue their string of podium finishes at Detroit.
"It was a tough go over the last two months," team manager Tony Cotman said. "We started off pretty decent and then the DNF's at Long Beach and Japan really hurt us. We have things going in the right direction now and I think we'll be in fine shape in De troit if we stay consistent and finish with points."
Detroit can be a difficult track due to its configuration as Andretti explained. "The problem we'll have in Detroit will be passing. The track is very narrow with no real straight-aways so it makes passing very tough." Andretti went on to say, "Qualifyi ng will be key this weekend since track position will play such an important role during the race."
Andretti has had a reasonable amount of success in Detroit with four straight poles (1989-92) and two podiums (1990 and 1996). The track was moved to Belle Isle in 1998 and Andretti is quick to mention that "don't let the park-like ambience on Belle Isle fool you, it's a tough track."
Team Motorola finished in sixth place at the CART season opener on the road course in Monterrey, Mexico and practiced well in Long Beach although a mechanical problem ended their race day after only three laps. Despite the mixed results on the road/street course races they've still been competitive and feel confident they have a reasonable set-up going into the Detroit weekend. "We've been competitive on the road/street courses thus far this season," said Cotman. "I think the package we have for Detroit is pretty close to the mark so we should be in reasonable shape right out of the box on Friday. It would be nice to parlay the last two podiums into our first victory."
Team Motorola and Andretti begin practice on Friday, June 15 at 9:30 a.m. The Tenneco Automotive Grand Prix will be shown live on ABC on Sunday, June 17 beginning at 2:00 p.m. EST.
Text provided by Jana Griffith
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit
The Racing Photo Museum and the
Visions of Speed Art Gallery.