Motor Racing: Andretti record
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MARIO ANDRETTI set an all- time IndyCar closed-course record during qualifying for the Marlboro 500 on the two-mile oval at Michigan International Speedway here yesterday, writes Toni Toomey.
Andretti's time of 30.733sec (234.275mph) on the bumpy circuit beat the record set by Rick Mears (233.926mph) on the same track in 1986. It also stole Nigel Mansell's thunder.
The British driver went out early in the session and set an official track record of 30.840sec (233.462mph), but Andretti was waiting his turn.
Watching the veteran's laps it was obvious that something special was afoot. You could hear the speed more than see it. Swinging off the front curve, the tyres of his car made the rapid clickety-clack of a speeding train. Then as the car powered through the first turn you could hear the roar, like a jet taking off. A roar of appreciation went up from the packed grandstands for Andretti - an enormously popular driver, whose performance belies his 53 years.
Mansell congratulated his Newman-Haas team-mate, noting Andretti's 25 years of experience at the Michigan circuit. Asked for his reaction to the track, Mansell said: 'It takes the biscuit. It's the fastest track I've ever driven.'
Qualifying times,
Sport in Short, page 25
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments