By Seth Eggert, Associate Editor
Veteran NTT IndyCar Series driver Marco Andretti is shifting in a higher gear in stock car racing in 2024 with Cook Racing Technologies (CRT) and Roper Racing.
The third-generation racer will compete in both the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for CRT. In ARCA competition Andretti will run 14 races in the No. 17 Chevrolet SS, including two ARCA West races, starting with the season-opener at Daytona Int’l Speedway. Team co-owner Bruce Cook will serve as the crew chief.
His first of seven Truck Series race during the 2024 season in the No. 04 Chevrolet Silverado is scheduled for the XPEL 225 at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). CRT has formed an alliance with Roper Racing in the Truck Series. Andretti will compete in four doubleheader races between ARCA and Trucks at Bristol Motor Speedway, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Kansas Speedway, and The Milwaukee Mile.
“I’m really happy with the program we’ve put in place for my racing schedule in 2024,” commented Andretti. “This plan is a good mixture of races with the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series that provides maximum track time, which is what I’m after. It will answer a lot of my unknowns in stock cars.
“I also want to do it the right way and not go right to the top of their sport on my INDYCAR and SRX (Superstar Racing Experience) merit as I respect the amount of talent in all of the various stock car series. I’m looking forward to having a lot of fun with Bruce and the team. I’m confident that we can be pretty competitive right out of the gate.”
Andretti first started to transition from open wheel racing to stock cars in the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) in 2021. The Nazareth, PA native won the 2022 SRX championship. Later that year he made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut, running strong at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL until an accident left him 36th.
The 36-year-old made his Truck Series debut at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course last year. Andretti ran inside the top-15 until a late-race trip off-track left him 19th. He made his NASCAR oval debut at the Homestead-Miami Speedway and finished 18th.
“I am looking forward to working with Marco and helping him to develop and grow as a driver in stock cars,” commented Cook. “Marco has a proven track record across multiple racing platforms. I think with some more seat time and guidance in the stock car world, he’ll be able to compete up front on a regular basis.”The two-time IndyCar winner got acclimated to superspeedway racing during the pre-season ARCA test at Daytona. Andretti was fifth-fastest in the Friday session of the two-day test.
While Andretti has 20 podium finishes and six pole positions in IndyCar at multiple tracks including Iowa Speedway, Milwaukee, Mid-Ohio, and Sonoma Raceway, two tracks which he will compete at in ARCA and Truck competition, the open wheel experience is unlikely to transfer over to stock cars.
In addition to Daytona, Bristol, COTA, Indianapolis Raceway Park, Iowa, Milwaukee, Mid-Ohio, Kansas, and Sonoma, Andretti will also compete at Homestead, Phoenix Raceway, Portland International Raceway, and Watkins Glen Int’l.
Andretti’s stock car superspeedway debut in the Daytona ARCA 200 at Daytona is scheduled for Saturday, February 17 at 1:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 and the Fox Sports App. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network.
Interesting to see Andretti Racing expanding into NASCAR with Cook Racing Technologies! The team has a strong history in IndyCar and it will be exciting to see their capabilities in another form of motorsport. Looking forward to seeing how they perform in their new venture!