Andretti hopeful of IndyCar return to MIS

Marco Andretti hopes for an IndyCar return to MIS

Marco Andretti, driver of the No. 26 Chevrolet for Andretti Autosport, finished 11th in June’s IZOD Indy Car Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, but he still holds the course dear to his heart. “That place is definitely a standout for us schedule-wise as far as IndyCar is concerned," Andretti said of the Belle Isle course. “I was sad to see it go for a while, but very pleased that Chevrolet and Roger Penske stepped up to put it back on the schedule. It’s those types of circuits that are very rewarding if you’re able to get it right."

Even the track surface problem that shortened the race couldn’t spoil Andretti’s passion for the circuit. “We’re racing on the streets, so obviously, there’s those aspects that can happen," Andretti said. “For me, it didn’t really affect my race too badly other than obviously cutting it short, strategy-wise. I have all the faith in the world that next year, the Grand Prix and Penske are going to give us what we need – state of the art."

In Sterling Heights, Mich. Tuesday at a Chevrolet promotion, there’s also another area track Andretti would like another crack at – Michigan International Speedway. Shortly after completing the Detroit street course circuit, there was speculation that IndyCar would return to the Brooklyn, Mich. two-mile oval to replace a race lost from the schedule that was slated for China, but ultimately, that didn’t materialize. Still, Andretti maintains hope that MIS and IndyCar will get back together. In the 2007 Firestone Indy, the last IndyCar race at MIS, Andretti ran second behind Tony Kanaan.

“That would be cool," Andretti said of a potential MIS comeback. “I want to win that thing. I almost won the last race there."

While in the Detroit area, Andretti took a Volt, Chevrolet’s electric car, on a tour of the Woodward Dream Cruise route. “They were gracious enough to let me have one for the month of May at Indianapolis," Andretti said of the Volt, which he’s found to be just as potent as a gas-powered vehicle. “It’s actually way smoother. And when you go for the power, there’s no delay. The power’s right there and it’s great for the environment, so there’s no negatives with that car." Windsor Star