Marco Andretti won at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma California becoming not only the youngest IRL winner, but the youngest in open-wheel and major series motorsports.
Marco's victory can be read about in detail on the IRL web site and ESPN.
To win he had to hold off teammate Tony Kanaan, and then Dario Franchitti. To make matters worse, he was conserving fuel, the result of an earlier strategy that meant he would have to make excellent mileage and get some help by way of caution - he did both.
The move that really kept him in front, however, was out of his control. Championship contender, pole-sitter, and race leader Scott Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing, had a disastrous stop with the front left tire changer having a problem. After the stop Dixon dropped from first to 12th while Marco moved to the top spot. Dixon would race back to finish 4th.
Ironically, Marco's victory at age 19 made him the youngest winner, supplanting Dixon, who at age 20 won at Nazareth Speedway.
Maybe more ironic, this was the race weekend when the final IRL event was held at Nazareth Speedway (that Sunday race was August 29).
Watching Marco this season has been exciting (and as watching the Andretti's always seems to be, heartbreaking at times) and it was simply awesome to se him gain a victory today after having been knocked out of Watkins Glen with a winning car and being passed on the final turn at Indy.
Formula One is seeking an American driver who can be competitive, and I hope Marco can contend for an IRL title next year and then find the "right" situation in Formula 1, because he is the "real deal".
Congratulations Marco and best wishes!
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Throughout last season, when Marco was running the Mazada and Infinity Pro-Series circuits, his grandfather, Vito, who lives not too far from me, would place checkered flags outside in the ground following victories.
On Monday morning I was disappointed not to see them there, but then when I returned home they were standing, a small but heart-felt recognition of a great accomplishment.
I also have to credit (I think Orwig Property) for the sign along East Lawn Road recognizing Marco's Rookie of the Year status and 1st IRL victory.
Nascar may have consumed the attention of fans in recent years, but it was Indycar's drivers for a long time that the nation knew by name, and the level of racing and challenge of winning in that series has not diminished. In many ways it has become even more difficult.
Congratulations again to Marco, his achievement is something the whole town can take pride in.
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