NEWTON, Iowa -- Marco Andretti slipped to third in the IZOD IndyCar Series championship because of a 20th place in the Milwaukee IndyFest on June 15. Place the blame on an alternator drive, which led to Andretti's No. 25 RC Cola car being temporarily stranded on the backstretch.
The Iowa Corn Indy 250 presented by DEKALB is an opportunity to reclaim points and standing. Bonus points are available to the top 12 through qualifying heat races, which will determine the Verizon P1 Award and set the grid for the 250-lap race on the .875-mile oval June 23. HEAT RACES EXPLAINED
Andretti has won and finished second the past two years.
"Both on the No. 25 side and as a team we've traditionally been strong in Iowa, and we need to continue that this year," he said. "Milwaukee didn't go as planned for the RC (Cola) Chevy so we really need to make up some points and get the lead back. This as good of place as any to do that.
"We're coming for a win but definitely would like to at least keep the consistency going. With the heat races paying extra points ... well ... we're aiming for total domination and maximum points."
Sunoco steps in as presenting sponsor of Pocono race
The 400-mile IZOD IndyCar Series race July 7 at Pocono Raceway has been named the Pocono INDYCAR 400 fueled by Sunoco.
The second leg of the Fuzzy's Triple Crown will be the first Indy car event at the 2.5-mile racetrack since 1989.
"Sunoco has been a great partner of the Raceway for many years," track president and CEO Brandon Igdalsky said. "We are thrilled they came on board as the presenting sponsor for such a historic race as this one."
Sunoco is the Official Fuel Retailer and Convenience Store of INDYCAR and will be the primary sponsor of the No. 11 Sunoco "Turbo" car in the race driven by Indianapolis 500 champion Tony Kanaan. If Kanaan can win the July 7 and Oct. 19 (Auto Club Speedway) races, he'll earn a $1 million bonus from Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka. A driver who wins two of the three superspeedway events will receive $250,000.
Aero and tire specs for Iowa
The Firestone tire specification features the same left-side tires used at Iowa Speedway in 2012, combined with the same right-side tires run three weeks ago at Texas Motor Speedway.
Because of the higher constant speeds and loading placed on the cars, a more durable superspeedway tire specification is necessary.
Aerodynamic specs remain the same as written in the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series rulebook. Mandatory parts: road/street course mainplane, rear flap 34.00 degrees maximum, standard rear wheel guard, underwing strake, front brake backing plate. Optional parts: Radiator inlet shutter, rear wing wicker.
Enter to win Castroneves-autographed gear
Through July 14, enter Hitachi’s “Cheer for Gear” sweepstakes for a chance to win racing gear and diecast model cars autographed by Helio Castroneves.
The Hitachi Motorsports is an integrated initiative promoting and highlighting the company’s achievements in developing innovative automotive technologies. By participating in the sweepstakes, each entrant will be entered automatically into the grand prize drawing for a trip for two to the IZOD IndyCar Series race in Sonoma, Calif., in August. Visit www.hitachi.us/motorsports to enter.
Of note
Did you know that IZOD IndyCar Series drivers Ana Beatriz, Sebastian Saavedra and Josef Newgarden won the Firestone Indy Lights race at Iowa Speedway in successive years? ... Dario Franchitti, a two-time winner at Iowa Speedway, will drive the yellow and black No. 10 Glad car for Target Chip Ganassi Racing. ... The Premier Chevy Dealers will be serving breakfast sandwiches to the first 1,500 fans that stop by the Chevy Racing display at Iowa Speedway on June 23 starting at 9 a.m. ... The National Spring Car Hall of Fame will host the "Salute to Champion Mario Andretti," which features six of his cars, July 15-Dec. 31.