It’s good to be an Andretti! Open-wheel racing will see yet another Andretti among it’s ranks as Jarett Andretti, son of John Andretti, will get a chance to test a USF2000 car at Putnam Park Raceway later this month. Andretti Autosport. It’s good to see Michael Andretti continue to draw in fresh, young, American drivers into the Mazda Road to Indy program. It’s worth noting that not only is Michael bringing new talent into USF2000, but he’s been good at promoting his recruited talent through the Mazda Road to Indy Program. Shelby Blackstock, who drove in USF2000 for Andretti Autosport last year, will get to test a Star Mazda machine, and Zach Veach will test a Firestone Indy Lights machine. The 2012 season isn’t even over yet for the Star Mazda Championship, and we’re already making plans for 2013! This off-season is already shaping up to be anything but an off-time. It’s going to be busy and interesting!
JARETT ANDRETTI TO TEST FOR ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT
Andretti joins Veach, Blackstock at Putnam Park Mazda Road to Indy Test
INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 5, 2012) – Andretti Autosport announced today that they will test Jarett Andretti in one of the team’s USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda cars on October 7 at Putnam Park Raceway in Greencastle, Indiana.
Andretti, is a third generation driver hailing from the familiar Andretti racing legacy. The 19-year old student of NC State is son of stock car and open-wheel driver John Andretti and grandson of retired open-wheel racer, and twin brother to Mario Andretti, Aldo Andretti.
The newest Andretti to step into a car at the Andretti Autosport stable first began racing in March of 2010, starting in go-karts. After winning various events he began competing in the USAC Ford Focus midget events. In 2011, he enjoyed his first full year of racing and competed in his first WKA Manufacturers Cup race. Since then, he has gained valuable experience in a Formula 2000 car, as well as gained dirt midget experience at local dirt tracks across Indiana.
“I’m really looking forward to testing the USF2000 car, this will be my first outing with this car and I can’t wait to see how it goes,” said the young Andretti. “For me the goal is to make it to the IndyCar Series and this is the first step to get there. I have to thank Michael (Andretti) and all of the Andretti Autosport sponsors for giving me this opportunity.”
Andretti’s dad, John Andretti, has been a driver in various series for many years. He most recently raced in the 100th Anniversary 2011 Indianapolis 500 with Andretti Autosport, driving the No. 43 Team Window World entry.
Joining Andretti on track at Putnam Park will be current Star Mazda driver Zach Veach, testing in a Firestone Indy Lights car. This will be his second test in that car, after driving it for the first time on August 14th also at Putnam Park. Veach is coming off his first full season in the Star Mazda Series, where he finished ninth in the championship point standings.
The final name on the Putnam Park Raceway test roster will be Shelby Blackstock. Blackstock completed his first full season in the Mazda Road to Indy ladder in 2011 driving in the USF2000 series for Andretti Autosport, where he recorded six top-10 finishes. Sunday’s test will mark his first outing in a Star Mazda Championship machine.