Marco Andretti talks about grandfather’s support and preparation for Pocono
Marco Andretti was the only driver to eclipse the 220 mile per hour average lap mark during Thursday’s test session at Pocono Raceway. Despite this, there is still room to improve at his family’s home track in preparation for Sunday’s race.
It is only a thirty mile distance between the Andretti family’s hometown of Nazareth, Pennsylvania and the Long Pond facility, but it certainly will not be easy when Marco Andretti encounters the unique 2.5 mile on race day. Andretti answered whether there is any added pressure at his home track.
“The monkey’s on my back, anyway, as far as a win goes. But I think it would be extra special, but I don’t think it adds any pressure.”
Following turning in the fastest laps throughout the test session on Thursday, Andretti spoke more about the team’s progress and what needs to happen on Sunday.
“I think we’re on the right track. Honestly I think when we put these things in traffic it can be so different. But even if we have it mastered there’s a lot that has to go right in order to be victorious. We found that in my last three races. We’ve been very strong but just come up short. There are a lot of elements in this sport that have to go right. You never have it mastered.”
Marco’s grandfather Mario is a former winner at Pocono Raceway; however, since open wheel cars have not competed at the track in over twenty years Marco feels like there has not been much advice available.
“It’s been awhile since they’ve been here and even though a race car is always a race car, these things are quite different now. At this level of the sport we have to go out and learn by fire, learn just by driving. Obviously he’s there to bounce things off of but he doesn’t really dictate the way we go.”
Since the last running in 1989, Pocono Raceway has been through a recent repave and the cars have gone through numerous changes.
Despite all of this, Marco quipped “He’s definitely been supportive, only if I’m quickest.”
