Home Court Advantage

JUST RELEASED! — The Official Directory for CART Racing
Home Court Advantage
©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
Andretti to Make Most of "Home Court" Advantage
KMart/Texaco/Havoline driver Michael Andretti is now in the second dayof a three day Goodyear tire test at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. He hadthe following to say about the upcoming race this weekend at hishometown of Nazareth, PA.
"I think that short oval races provide some of the best racing becausethere's so much excitement. For the fans, there's always passing goingon whether it's for position or lapping cars. There's a lot ofside-by-side running. It's just very exciting. For the fans, they canalways see the whole race track as well. So, it's just a great form ofracing.
"Winning Nazareth last year was one of the biggest wins of my careerbecause we had to go through such diversity to get there. We had allkinds of problems. I was put on probation and getting some criticizmfrom a couple of the competitors. To be able to turn it around the nextrace after all those problems and then the other guys having their ownproblems. It felt very good, and to do it all in my hometown was evenbetter.
"The Andretti heritage is pretty deep at Nazareth. When my father cameover from Italy, they [Mario and his twin brother Aldo] were verydepressed because they loved racing. They thought 'that's it forracing,' and then they found out there was a track right there inNazareth. They became very excited and they started racing next to thetrack we race at right now. A legend was born then. Our family historyis very deep there."
Roberto Moreno, interim replacement driver for Christian Fittipaldi willbe in the No. 11 KMart/Budweiser Swift Ford/Cosworth XD. This will behis second CART event at Nazareth Speedway. His only start at Nazarethwas for Payton-Coyne Racing last season where he completed 102 of the200 lap event before losing a tire and retiring in 24th place. Morenohad the following comments on the upcoming race at the one-mile oval:
"I had a short experience at Nazareth last year. Thisyear I hope to finish much higher. I learned a lot about the car at thelast race in Long Beach. My learning curve was very steep as it was anentirely different package and a new team for me. I found that the Swiftwas a very good car and the Ford[XD] engine and Goodyear tires were verygood as well. I drove a Lola last year with the Ford series II engine onFirestone tires. My work was cut our for me at the last race justgetting acquainted with all of the new elements.
"The Nazareth circuit is great. You're busy the entire race with all ofthe passing and keeping track of the field. Newman Haas Racing willprepare the best equipment for me. With a good car, it will be veryenjoyable to race there."


		JUST RELEASED! — The Official Directory for CART Racing

		Home Court Advantage ©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. Andretti to Make Most of "Home Court" Advantage KMart/Texaco/Havoline driver Michael Andretti is now in the second dayof a three day Goodyear tire test at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. He hadthe following to say about the upcoming race this weekend at hishometown of Nazareth, PA. "I think that short oval races provide some of the best racing becausethere's so much excitement. For the fans, there's always passing goingon whether it's for position or lapping cars. There's a lot ofside-by-side running. It's just very exciting. For the fans, they canalways see the whole race track as well. So, it's just a great form ofracing. "Winning Nazareth last year was one of the biggest wins of my careerbecause we had to go through such diversity to get there. We had allkinds of problems. I was put on probation and getting some criticizmfrom a couple of the competitors. To be able to turn it around the nextrace after all those problems and then the other guys having their ownproblems. It felt very good, and to do it all in my hometown was evenbetter. "The Andretti heritage is pretty deep at Nazareth. When my father cameover from Italy, they [Mario and his twin brother Aldo] were verydepressed because they loved racing. They thought 'that's it forracing,' and then they found out there was a track right there inNazareth. They became very excited and they started racing next to thetrack we race at right now. A legend was born then. Our family historyis very deep there." Roberto Moreno, interim replacement driver for Christian Fittipaldi willbe in the No. 11 KMart/Budweiser Swift Ford/Cosworth XD. This will behis second CART event at Nazareth Speedway. His only start at Nazarethwas for Payton-Coyne Racing last season where he completed 102 of the200 lap event before losing a tire and retiring in 24th place. Morenohad the following comments on the upcoming race at the one-mile oval: "I had a short experience at Nazareth last year. Thisyear I hope to finish much higher. I learned a lot about the car at thelast race in Long Beach. My learning curve was very steep as it was anentirely different package and a new team for me. I found that the Swiftwas a very good car and the Ford[XD] engine and Goodyear tires were verygood as well. I drove a Lola last year with the Ford series II engine onFirestone tires. My work was cut our for me at the last race justgetting acquainted with all of the new elements. "The Nazareth circuit is great. You're busy the entire race with all ofthe passing and keeping track of the field. Newman Haas Racing willprepare the best equipment for me. With a good car, it will be veryenjoyable to race there."