Antinucci Joins Cheever Racing Indy Pro Series Team

Having made a name for himself racing Formula 3 in Europe and Japan, Italian-American Richard Antinucci will race in the United States driving for his Uncle, Eddie Cheever, in the Indy Pro Series.

“Richard is a talented driver, he is an exciting addition to our team, family or not," said team owner Eddie Cheever.

Antinucci will drive a limited Indy Pro Series season, focusing on the road course events at St. Petersburg, Indianapolis, Watkins Glen and Mid-Ohio. With the ultimate goal of preparing Antinucci for the Indianapolis 500, Cheever Racing will continue to search for partners to build on this program.

“I am really looking forward to driving with Cheever Racing," said Antinucci, who comes fresh from a second-place finish in the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix in November. “I feel that Eddie has taken me under his wing and wants to pass down his experience in motorsports. My immediate goal is to adapt to American racing as quickly as possible with the Indianapolis 500 as my target. With hard work and a humble approach, success should be in our reach."

Antinucci’s passion for racing began when he watched Cheever finish third in the U.S. Grand Prix in Phoenix in 1989. Moving to Rome, Italy when he was 12 years old, Antinucci developed his driving skills in Europe, arguably the best training ground for open-wheel, formula racers. Antinucci raced karts, Formula Fords, and Formula Renaults on his way to Formula 3 competition, which culminated in a fifth-place finish in the 2006 Euroseries with two wins and a second-place finish at the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix.

A leader in American motorsports, Cheever Racing is built on 30-plus years of experience owner Eddie Cheever has in Formula One, sports cars and open-wheel racing. The team competes with the Crown Royal Special Reserve Daytona Prototype entry in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and in the Indy Pro Series.

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Richard Antinucci
Biography

Birthdate: January 26, 1981
Birthplace: Rome, Italy (Italian-American citizenship)

2006
Drove in the Formula 3 Euroseries finishing fifth in the championship with two wins, two second places and one third place. Finished second at the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix after an impressive charge through the field from ninth on the starting grid (following a penalty in qualifying.)

2004
Was an official TOMS Toyota driver in the Japanese Formula 3 Championship, finishing fourth in the championship with one win and 11 other podium finishes. Finished 8th (started 33rd) at the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix and set the record for the fastest lap at Macau.

2002, 2003
Drove in the British Formula 3 Championship. Earned the Formula 3 World Cup Champion title in 2003.

2000, 2001
Drove in the European and British Formula Renault series. Most notably, won the 2001 Spa International Festival and was runner up in the British championship with four wins.

1998
Drove one race in the Italian Formula Ford series, winning the event.

1989 to 1997
At eight years old began racing go-karts. Won races at local, national and international levels.

Interesting facts: Single; speaks English, Italian and French; Chargers Fan; likes training, cycling and tennis; lived in Arizona and Oregon as a child.