LONG TIME COMING FOR RICHARD ANTINUCCI

Racing drought comes to an end at the Glen as 28-year old Italian/American gets first taste of IndyCar

Thursday, June 11, 2009

TUESDAY'S NOTES
All the time spent in the background chasing IndyCar opportunities paid off for Richard Antinucci Tuesday and Wednesday at Watkins Glen International. Only hours upon being introduced as the new driver of the Team 3G for the upstate New York round, Richard got acquainted with the #98 Curb/Agajanian/Team 3G Dallara-Honda on Tuesday afternoon, putting in 18 laps, and lapped another 50 yesterday. The distance covered this week nearly matches the 204 miles the IndyCar Series drivers will have to run at the July 5 Camping World Grand Prix.

RICHARD'S TAKE
“To sit idle while the open-wheel season kicks off is gutting, but to go out there in an IndyCar as I did yesterday and Tuesday, and as I'll do at the Glen in July is fantastic. I can't find the words to thank the Team 3G enough: despite the worst economy of our lifetimes they fought hard to give me a chance.”
We practiced mostly in the afternoon, and put in some laps on Wednesday morning. Considering it was my first time in the car, I'm quite happy. All that time spent in the gym was well worth it: physically I am fine, even my neck did not bother me. We had to fit new tyres just on Wednesday afternoon, whilst Andretti Green, KV and D&B drivers clocked their best times in the morning, when the track condition was better. But the July 5 grid wasn't set yesterday, so we focused on our own program. We focused on learning as much as possible about the car, and now we need some time to really evaluate the data and see where we can make improvements. Owen Snyder (Team 3G crew chief who claimed two Indy 500 wins) was kind enough to give me some leeway on road-course technical feedback. Together we aim to push forward.”