Rossi Settles for 11th at Iowa Speedway
The Verizon IndyCar Series traveled to the “Infield of Dreams” Sunday where Andretti Autosport holds a rich history of dominating the 0.894-mile oval track. Winning six of the last seven races at Iowa Speedway and leading over 1,000 laps, the team hunted redemption after failing to take a podium result last year for the first time in the history of the race.
The drivers battled hot temperatures throughout the 300 laps and Alexander Rossi found that those temperatures affected the No. 98 much differently than planned. During Saturday’s sessions Rossi felt he had a good race car, finishing eighth overall in practice. In qualifying, the 2016 Indy 500 winner struggled with grip, ultimately settling for a 12th-place grid position with a two-lap average of 181.136 mph.
“It was a pretty greasy qualifying run,” said Rossi. “I don’t know whether it was the temperatures or the lack of support rubber on track, but I feel our car had a lot more in it than 12th. Drawing an early qualifying number is never ideal, so that didn’t help us either. It’s a pretty tight field for the most part, so we’ll just have to see what tomorrow holds for the race.”
Rossi ran as high as 10th and fought grip issued through most the race. The ShopAndrett.com crew made wing adjustments during every pit stop, but it wasn’t until the last stint on tires Rossi felt comfortable with the car. During the final 47 laps, the No. 98 car advanced six positions and claimed 11th- place when he crossed the finish line.
“For most of the race,” said Rossi, “we were trying to tune in and get the car drivable which we were able to do by the end. The last stint was the only time I felt comfortable in the car all day. It’s unfortunate because I thought we had a really good race car through this weekend, but the temperature caught us by surprise and I don’t think we accounted enough for the effect it had on the car. Congrats to Ryan [Hunter-Reay] for getting on the podium and being where he should be.”
In the end, it was Helio Castroneves of Team Penske who captured the checkered flag, his first win in 54 races. Rossi’s teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay secured the final step on the podium, the team’s 14th podium at the Iowa Corn 300.
The Verizon IndyCar Series next travels to the streets of Toronto for the Honda Indy Toronto on Sunday, July 16.
Start / Finish: 12/11
Points Earned: 19
Points Standing / Total: 9 / 290
Next Race: Honda Indy Toronto on the Streets of Toronto – Sunday, July 16 at 3 p.m. ET
How to Watch or Listen: NBC Sports Network or INDYCAR Radio on Sirius 212 and XM 209
NAPA: @NAPARacing
Alexander Rossi: @AlexanderRossi
Andretti Autosport: @FollowAndretti
Andretti Autosport View All
Andretti Autosport, led by racing legend Michael Andretti, boasts a wide racing portfolio rooted in tradition and designed for success.
Under the banners of Andretti Autosport and Avalanche Andretti Formula E, the Indianapolis-based team fields multiple entries across the INDYCAR SERIES, Indy Lights, the FIA Formula E World Championship and the IMSA Prototype Challenge LMP3 division. The team also competes as Walkinshaw Andretti United in the Australian Supercars category through partnership with Walkinshaw Racing and United Autosports additionally the team fields an entry in the Extreme E championship via Andretti United Extreme E.
The global racing enterprise boasts four INDYCAR SERIES championships, five Indy Light titles, one Pro Mazda championship, a Silver Class GT4 Championship and has captured victory five times at the famed Indianapolis 500. The team also holds two X Games Gold Medals and five U.S. rallycross championships.