Thursday, May 25, 2006
Marco capped his three years in the Skip Barber system with a National Series title in 2004, nipping runner-up Gerardo Bonilla – who went on to win the title one year later.
With six of the top-10 qualifiers at the Indy 500 being
Skip Barber-trained, fellow graduates have a lot to be proud of. Of particular note is third row starter Marco Andretti, 19-year-old son of Michael, himself making a return to the Indy grid after a two-year ‘‘sabbatical.’’ Marco developed all of his considerable skill using the entire Skip Barber ladder system; school, advanced activities, regional series and national championship. Marco was a successful karter in his early teens. Then, like his father, he did the Skip Barber Racing School on his way to racing in the Regional Race Series. Marco went on to win three Skip Barber championships: the 2003 Eastern Region title, the 2003-2004 Southern Series and finally, the 2004 Skip Barber National Presented by RACER. After his first Skip Barber title, the ’03 Eastern Series championship, Marco said, ‘‘This was fantastic, a really great season. The instructors taught me so much, I really couldn’t have done this without them.’’ Dad Michael said, ‘‘I am extremely proud of the job Marco did in this very competitive series. The experience he’s getting at 16 is invaluable. Heck, Marco’s already two years ahead in experience compared to me at that age!’’ (Marco also out-qualified his Dad at Indy, who’s two rows behind Marco!) We at Skip Barber hope for a good, clean and safe race, and extend an extra dose of good luck wishes to all 13 Skip Barber-trained drivers in the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Just like his teammate Bryan Herta (row six), Marco Andretti used the entire Skip Barber ladder system to grow his professional racing career.
Rick Roso
