Ferrucci Has Forgettable Day in INDYCAR Detroit Race 1

Following a severe weather delay that forced a shortened 75-minute race, the ENEOS-sponsored Dale Coyne Racing’s Santino Ferrucci had a day to forget in Race 1 of the double-header in Detroit, crossing the finish line in 19th place.

After qualifying 22nd earlier in the day, Ferrucci was hoping to move up the field when the race got under way. Unfortunately for the rookie, he only managed to pick up a few positions before making his first and only pit stop, from 18th place, with about 46 minutes to go.

Things looked up briefly for the 21 year-old driver when a caution period came out following his stop. However, with the cars ahead of him failing to close up in a timely manner, Ferrucci was unable to leapfrog the cars that headed into pit lane. He would end up 15th, instead of in the top six, when the race resumed with about 33 minutes to go.

Ferrucci was then unable to gain more positions and finished the race 19th after being forced to go wide and making slight contact with the wall.

“We had an OK start – you can’t really pass in the rain at the start because you can’t see, so we weren’t able to move up,” said Ferrucci. “Then, we pitted early for slicks and thought we’d be able to move up the field when the yellow came out, but the cars in front of me didn’t pack up and that set us back in the field. Nothing really went our way today, there’s nothing we could do other than prepare for Race 2 tomorrow and hope for better results for our #19 Cly-Del Manufacturing Honda.”

Ferrucci will be back in action tomorrow for the second race of the weekend which goes green at 3:50pm ET. The race will be broadcast live on NBC.