Andretti meeting logistical challenges
Six cars in starting grid are most for a team since 1996.
Michael Andretti’s busiest month could turn into his best Indianapolis show. He has four cars in the front three rows of Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.
Two of those drivers — the defending race champion, Alexander Rossi, and this year’s highest-profile rookie, Fernando Alonso — avoided getting sidetracked by sideshows.
Andretti’s son, Marco, thrived despite taking on extra coaching duties this May. Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2014 Indy 500 champion, posted the fastest qualifying average outside the nine-car pole shootout, and Japan’s Takuma Sato proved he could be a contender. On Monday, rookie Jack Harvey moved up the speed chart, too.
If these guys produce all the right numbers this weekend, Andretti Autosport will have the best six-pack of racers in 500 history.
“It’s been good because of the data we’ve been able to share and pass on, not only for someone like Marco or Ryan, but it’s been good for all the guys,” Michael Andretti said.
The six Andretti cars in the 33-car starting grid are the most by one team since Andy Evans started seven in 1996 with Team Scandia. Even for a team that regularly starts four cars, embarking on such an enormous challenge carries all sorts of potential pitfalls.
Finding sponsors and cars are the most glaring concerns, and Andretti said he never would have considered such a daunting feat if both hadn’t already been resolved. Finding crew members, spotters and strategists for all of the drivers isn’t easy, either.
“People are a huge problem because everyone in Indianapolis has a job right now,” said Michael Shank, co-owner of Harvey’s No. 50 car. “I have 22 to 25 guys in my shop, so it was only natural we could do it.”
Chip Ganassi Racing managing director Mike Hull believes that to be successful running so many cars, a team must find the right blend of selfless personalities to mesh in Gasoline Alley. Hull knows because he once had a five-car team in the 500.
“It’s very difficult to get it right,” he said. “It’s being patient with the process.”
Andretti, with an assist from Shank and Bryan Herta, the co-owner of Rossi’s No. 98 car, didn’t have to be too patient: From the moment the cars hit the 2.5-mile oval, they were already fast.
Marco Andretti finished the first day atop the speed chart. He’ll start eighth Sunday, the middle of Row 3.
Hunter-Reay qualified 10th, the inside of Row 4. Rossi is starting from the third spot on the front row. Sato and Alonso qualified in the second row and will start fourth and fifth.