John Andretti News - February 2009

Las Vegas: John Andretti preview

Racing series NASCAR-CUP
Date 2009-02-25

John Andretti, Driver of the No. 34 Window World Impala, Las Vegas Motor Speedway Fast Facts:

* Andretti has made seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
* Andretti's best Sprint Cup finish at LVMS is 12th-place (1999, No. 43 Petty Enterprises Pontiac)
* In Sprint Cup competition, Andretti has an average starting position of 27.1 and an average finish of 28.1
* Andretti has led nine laps in Sprint Cup competition at LVMS
* Andretti has one Camping World Truck Series start at LVMS (2008, No. 15 Billy Ballew Motorsports Toyota). Andretti started in 24th-place and finished in fourth-place

John Andretti Comments on Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

"They changed the banking at (Las) Vegas (Motor Speedway) recently. The thinking was that stock car drivers don't like flat tracks. I love flat tracks. I think that you need to know how to drive on a flat track more than a banked track. At Vegas they decided that they wanted more side-by-side racing. I think they already had it, but they changed the surface and now it's different. It's a little racier at times, but it's still a narrow track. A lot of the racing depends on the tire that they bring to the track because if the tires have good grip, you'll see good side-by-side racing. If it doesn't, especially with the new car, you'll slide up to the outside wall and stay up there wherever you can find grip. A change in race track conditions doesn't always solve the problem, but that was the idea. They have a great race track in Vegas and I'll race the Window World Chevy on any configuration, but I just preferred the flat version.

"Last week we finished 31st at California (Auto Club Speedway). It wasn't what we were hoping for, but everything is in perspective. Is Jimmie Johnson looking back and worried about us in his quest for a fourth championship? No. He hasn't lost an ounce of sleep over it. On the other hand, we're trying to step up for Bob Jenkins (owner, Front Row Motorsports) and trying to become that next-level team. Hopefully we'll work into becoming a top-20, top-15 team, a contender and so forth. The first step is probably going to be the easiest. If you start last in a race, the first few positions are always the easiest to make up. We just need to make this step a solid one and build on what we've done well. We had a great race in Daytona. California wasn't as strong, but we'll learn from it and hopefully the Window World team will be stronger in Vegas because of it."

-credit: rrm

Full Story on Motorsport.com

Fontana: John Andretti preview

Racing series NASCAR-CUP
Date 2009-02-17

Front Row Motorsports/Andretti Carry Momentum Into California

John Andretti, Driver of the No. 34 Window World Impala, Auto Club Speedway Fast Facts:

* Andretti has 11 Sprint Cup Series starts at Auto Club Speedway
* Andretti's best finish at Auto Club Speedway is eighth-place (2003, No. 43 Petty Motorsports Dodge)
* Andretti has an average starting position of 24.6 and an average finish of 26.1 at Auto Club Speedway
* Over the course of his 11 Sprint Cup starts, Andretti has led 9 laps at Auto Club Speedway
* Andretti has completed 2654 of 2750 laps (96.5%) in Sprint Cup competition at Auto Club Speedway

John Andretti Comments on Auto Club Speedway:

"I'm really pleased with how the Windows World team performed in Daytona. Finishing 19th was a great start to this year. All of the guys did a great job and showed what we're capable of. Of course you look back and think that you could have done better, but you can also look back at all of the cars that were torn up and think that it could have been a lot worse for us. We're happy with what we achieved.

"Our goal is to be consistent. We want to be a top-20 car this season and hopefully raise that goal to a top-15 car as we progress. That's going to be tough considering the size of us versus the size of the other teams out there. It's nice to know we're on track for what we want to accomplish. I think we have a lot to be proud of and we came out with the car in one piece, which was also a plus.

"The next step is Auto Club Speedway. A great track, it allows you to race all over the place. You can race on the bottom or right up against the fence. These new cars seem to want to race everywhere on the track. They don't really have a happy place. You've just got to find the happiest place you can and that's where you settle in. Usually everyone's place on the race track is different, so you see lots of side-by-side action. The big deal with racing there is that there aren't many cautions. The field gets so spread out. You've got to take that into account for your strategy. If you're not the fastest race car, you can still be one of the most effective race cars by working that strategy.

"This race starts in the day and finishes at night. That presents some unique challenges. Racing at Auto Club Speedway is almost like racing at Rockingham (Speedway). You can't see anything going into Turn 3 as the sun is setting. It would be great if they had more sponsors and bigger billboards down there to block the sun from your eyes. You've also got to prepare your car to race well in the daytime and at night. Your car has to be very adjustable, so that you adapt to the track as the night goes on. I don't have as much experience as the rest of the field in the new car, so I'm not exactly sure how it will change throughout the night, but we'll figure it out."

-credit: frm

Full Story on Motorsport.com

Window World Extends Sponsorship

Continues Partnership with Front Row Motorsports in Next Four Races

Mooresville, NC - February 17, 2009

After a successful debut in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series during the 51st Daytona 500, Window World Inc. announced today it will extend its sponsorship of the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports team driven by John Andretti.

One of the sport’s newest sponsors, Window World will be the primary sponsor of the Front Row Motorsports Chevrolet at Auto Club Speedway on February 22, Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1, Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 8 and Bristol Motor Speedway on March 22.

This is great news for Front Row Motorsports and Window World, said Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins. Daytona was the first time Window World sponsored a race car. On the track, and off the track, their program was a success. The Window World customers and employees have all rallied behind this program. We want to continue that momentum for another four races.

Andretti, a two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup winner and one of the most versatile drivers in motorsports today, is also excited about today’s announcement.

"I think it’s great that Window World wants to continue within racing and with Front Row Motorsports. It’s great when new sponsors come into the sport and see it make a difference. There are a lot of racing fans out there who can really take advantage of what Window World has to offer. Hopefully we can do our best over the next four races to spread the word."

Full Story on WindowWorld.com

John Andretti on Daytona, Dale and Drama

February 16, 2009

NASCAR driver John Andretti is maybe the only race car driver who's ever driven in stock cars, open-wheel AND drag racing's premier class Top Fuel. Andretti has had success in all those venues and he talks about that as well as his success in Sunday's Daytona 500.

Daytona 500 Post-Race Interview courtesy of SpeedFreaks.tv

John Andretti Finishes 19th at Daytona

February 15, 2009

In his 359th Sprint Cup Series start, John Andretti finished the 2009 Daytona 500 in 19th position. The #34 Window World Chevrolet qualified 37th after finishing 25th in Race 1 of the Gatorade Duel qualifying races. Unfortunately, the Front Row Motorsports team was forced to start the 500 from the rear of the field due to switching to a backup car when their primary car was damaged in a late qualifying race incident.

Although going a lap down early, Andretti was able to stay in position to get the "free-pass", putting him back on the lead lap, where he remained until the race was called due to rain on lap 152.

Off to California...

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