Andretti continues strong showing

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Marco Andretti showed Friday he’s not a one-track wonder.

Hot off a runner-up finish in last weekend’s Indianapolis 500, the 19-year-old rookie was third fastest in Indy-car practice at Watkins Glen International, a road course in upstate New York.

Andretti trailed only two of the best road racing drivers – Helio Castroneves, a two-time 500 winner, and former Indy Racing League champion Tony Kanaan.

“It’s not about my confidence – I’ve always thought I could do it,” Andretti said of the week’s developments. “Maybe it has opened other people’s eyes.”

Andretti dominated the IRL’s development series last year on road and street circuits, but many in the paddock expected him to struggle initially against the sport’s best.

But Kanaan wasn’t surprised. He’s seen how savvy, smart and quick Andretti is at this young an age.

“Do I look surprised?” Kanaan said. “I wish at 19 I had that kind of maturity.”

Andretti’s grandfather, Hall of Fame driver Mario Andretti, was among those impressed. Mario said he has seen several replays of the 500’s finish, and each time he sees something else Marco did right.

For one, Marco didn’t jeopardize anyone when Sam Hornish Jr. came storming from behind, eventually passing him several yards ahead of the finish.

Hornish’s margin of victory was 0.0635 seconds, the second-closest finish in the 90-year history of the event.

“He ultimately showed me that he’s a man with good judgment,” Mario said of Marco. “There have been plenty of ‘experts’ from all over the world saying things (he should have done on the final two laps). The latest one I’ve heard is that he should have looked at his mirrors.”

Mario shook his head in disgust.

“Those people haven’t got a clue,” he said. “The way Hornish had a run on him, the stupidest thing he could have done was try to block.

“Hornish himself probably realizes the maturity of the kid to stay in his line.”

Marco went back home to Nazareth, Pa., Tuesday and Wednesday to recharge. He could be ready to win Sunday’s Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix, which would be his first victory in just five IRL races.

Marco’s best lap of 1 minute, 31.1722 seconds was only five-tenths of a second behind Castroneves over the 3.37-mile course. Like at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Andretti never placed a wheel out of his comfort zone, positioning himself well for today’s qualifications.

Unlike on oval tracks, qualifying on road courses is critical to success in the race. The top four finishers in last year’s event started in the top six positions.

Kanaan, for one, is wary of Andretti.

“After Dan (Wheldon) left, I thought I could take it easy,” Kanaan said. “He’s another nightmare for me on the team.”