Antinucci back in the lead
“Indy without Lights," said Antinucci, who is back on top the Firestone Indy Lights point standings.
The way Antinucci is progressing in Firestone Indy Lights – either first or second in four of the first five races of the 16-event season – uncle Eddie Cheever Jr. might be inclined to put together a program for the 93rd Indianapolis 500 if a full-season IndyCar Series team doesn’t contract his services.
Antinucci, 27, driving the No. 7 Lucas Oil/Sam Schmidt Motorsports car, challenged pole sitter Dillon Battistini of Panther Racing throughout the 40-lap race on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.
“We tried to take it easy at the beginning because I think the majority of the field was having problems already with the rubbered-in track," said Antinucci, who started sixth. “We ran really conservative, with a lot of downforce. We were really quick in the corners. I think we were the quickest out there. I just kept hitting the (rev) limiter.
“But congratulations to Panther and Battistini. They did a good job. He was running those times by himself, without a tow – pretty good."
After competing on road/street courses last year in the series, Antinucci has been a quick study on the ovals this season. Next up is the first short track of the season – The Milwaukee Mile on June 1.