Winterfest: Andretti Autosport wins Pro Mazda team title

The Andretti Autosport Pro Mazda team captured the 2015 Winterfest Championship title yesterday at the finale doubleheader from Barber Motorsports Park.

WEIRON TAN
NO. 22 WEIRON TAN ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT MAZDA

– The Houston, TX resident captured his second Winterfest win and led the most laps for today's second race on the 2.3-mile permanent road course
– Clinched second place in the Winterfest Championship just one point shy of first

"Jack (Aitken) did pretty well… he kept the pressure on me. I was trying to find the time, but since he had the fastest lap time, that gave him the championship (win). It’s disappointing. We got the victory but we lost the war, so it’s good and bad. But this is a good start for us since the real championship starts now. Looking back on the penalty, I have regrets for doing that – if it had been a fair fight, I think we could have won. I learned from that; it’s a big mistake and it cost me the one point I needed. It’s all about learning – that’s why we’re doing this. We’re all here to learn, to grow up, and it’s all part of learning how not to make the same mistakes next time. After these races, we know we have good pace going into the full season. I think we should be pretty confident. We have to keep working hard and I have to stop making stupid mistakes!

"In the end it was a good way to end the Winterfest, but not the best. Very happy for the team to secure the team championship. Unfortunately, for me, I lost the championship by just one point; had I not have gotten a five-point penalty at NOLA, the Winterfest Championship would have turned out differently. No matter, it was a good start for us and the team as a whole, and now we're looking forward to the full season championship where it really matters."

DALTON KELLETT
NO. 28 K-LINE INSULATORS USA ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT MAZDA

– Series sophomore rose from fifth to third at the start of the 30-minute finale race and captured his first podium of 2015
– The Canadian secured the third spot in the championship points standings to help give Andretti Autosport the team championship title

"Race Two was a great way to end Winterfest. Moving from fifth to third, I had a good start and was able to hold third for the rest of the race. When the first caution came out, I had my eyes set on (teammate) Weiron (Tan) and Jack (Aitken), but with a second caution coming out soon after, there wasn't enough time left. In the end, it felt great to see Andretti Autosport bring home the team championship. Moving forward, I am looking forward to keeping up this momentum for the 2015 season championship! Keep watching for the No. 28 K-Line Insulators USA Pro Mazda at St. Pete!"

Andretti Autosport