Thank You from Andretti Sports Marketing

Really don't think I need to say anything here.

--Chris

[Andretti Sports Marketing release]

Thank You from Andretti Sports Marketing On behalf of Michael Andretti and the entire team at Andretti Sports Marketing and Andretti Autosport, we would like to express thanks to the great fans that didn't let a 90-minute rain delay deter their desire to watch an IZOD IndyCar Series race today at the Milwaukee Mile. That spirit and passion is what has fueled the legacy of this historic track, and we're thrilled to add our own small page in its history book. Thanks to our superb list of sponsors that, on a very very brief timeline, stepped-in to support IndyFest. The backing of these sponsors - locally in Milwaukee as well as our national and international sponsors - makes it possible for us to offer reasonably priced tickets and an infield full of fun activities and events. The "we couldn't do it without them" crew of volunteers deserve thanks and recognition, as do the media members whose coverage tells the world about a great city and great track. We'll see you next June for the second Milwaukee IndyFest! We can't wait to be back. The staff of Andretti Sports Marketing.

The Skinny on Soucek: A Brief Bio

Andy Soucek is under consideration for
a ride with Andretti Autosport

It came to light, yesterday, via Curt Cavin’s Q&A that Andretti Autosport is considering a 2011 IndyCar program for Spain’s Andy Soucek.

I thought it might be nice to know a bit more about him before he joins our little party.

Here's the Cliffs Notes version of his bio:

Nationality: Spanish

Age: 25

Racing Career:

• 2010 Superleague Formula (partial season); Test Driver, Virgin Racing F1 Team 
• 2009 F2 Champion
• 2008 GP2 Series, (14th in Championship); Superleague Formula (partial season)
• 2007 GP2 Series (16th in Championship)
• 2006 Test Driver, Toyota F1; World Series by Renault (4th in Championship)
• 2003–2005 Spanish F3
• 2002 Junior Spanish F3 

Want to know more? Cool. If you’re fluent in Spanish, you’ll LOVE Mr. Soucek’s official site.

BTW: Andy's on Twitter, so give him a follow, if you so choose.

—JM

Michael Andretti: Owning His Heritage

75% of Andretti's driver lineup
hails from the U.S.

Sure, I love me some T.K., Willy P., and the always rootable, Swiss Miss but, personally, nothing compares to watching homegrown talent tear it up on the track.

With that in mind, AHOI would like to recognize Michael Andretti, of Andretti Autosport, with major ups for six of his eight full-time drivers having grown up amongst the Amber Waves of Grain.

Coincidence? Maybe, but I'll choose to take it at face value. 

Michael is very quietly doing his part to ensure indigenous talent has an opportunity to compete on America's premier open-wheel stage.

Good on ya, Mike.

Below, is a list of all the drivers who regularly attend AA meetings:

IZOD IndyCar Series

• Marco Andretti—Nazareth, PA USA
• Ryan Hunter-Reay—Boca Raton, FL USA
• Tony Kanaan—Salvador, Brazil
• Danica Patrick—Roscoe, IL USA

Firestone Indy Lights Series

• Charlie Kimball—Camarillo, CA USA
• Martin Plowman—Tamworth, England

USF2000 Series

• Sage Karam—Bethlehem, PA USA
• Zach Veach—Stockdale, OH USA

—JM

We Don't Know Carroll from Adam

True, true, but across the pond, Adam Carroll is no stranger. So just who is this lad from the land of green that enters the (increasingly faster and faster) fold at Andretti Autosport for the race at The Glen? Let's check his vitals, courtesy of AdamCarrollRacing.com:

Nationality: Northern Irish
Date of Birth: October 26, 1982 (age 26)
Career Race Results:
Races entered: 223
Wins: 40
Podiums: 86
Pole positions: 24
Fastest laps: 25
Race win percentage: 17.94%
(the above statistics are a summary of the data currently
available)
Racing career highlights:
A1GP Champion 08/09
Second in Formula 3 Britain 2004.
Third in Masters of Formula 3 2004.
European Formula 3 Cup champion 2004.
British Formula 3 National class champion 2002.
Third in Formula Ford Festival 2001.
British Formula Ford Winter Series champion 2000.

'08/'09 A1GP champ...hmm. Sprinkle in some GP2, varying experience in other European formulas, and F1 testing for BAR-Honda, and we just might have something here. Intrigued? Check out Adam's full bio here.

So... new country, new series, new track, new team: how will Carroll fare against TK, RHR, DP, and MA? Hard to estimate, but that's not going to stop us from speculating. Check out the poll above, and voice your opinion on how things will shake out for AA at Watkins Glen.

BTW: Don't miss the showdown next Sunday—with so many road-racing superstars in the IZOD IndyCar Series, I think we’ll be celebrating the Fourth with a bang.

—JM