MRTI RACE REPORT: GRAND PRIX OF INDIANAPOLIS RACE 2

Looking to repeat a weekend sweep for the second time this
season, the Andretti Autosport Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires foursome
took to a warm and sunny Indianapolis Motor Speedway for qualifications and
Round 6’s Grand Prix of Indianapolis.  

Colton Herta, in the No. 98 Deltro Energy Mazda, led the
team to start in second after qualifying, with yesterday’s winner Nico Jamin,
in the No. 27 DuraMAX Powered by RelaDyne Mazda, starting seventh. Dalton
Kellett, in his No. 28 K-Line Insulators USA Mazda, followed behind Jamin in
eighth, with rookie Ryan Norman starting his No. 48 Flip Side Mazda in 12th. 

At the start of today’s 35-lap event, Herta was shuffled
back to fourth diving into the first turn of Lap 1. Just after on Lap 2, Norman
made contact with a competitor forcing him off track but continuing on the lead
lap in 13th position.  

As the race wore on, Norman kept pushing forward, maintaining
the fastest pace of the field for some time while picking off positions to
advance. Unfortunately for Herta, his streak of bad luck continued from Round 5,
with his car slowing midrace and dropping to 11th.  

As the checkers fell, Jamin crossed the finish line fourth,
capping off a strong run with yesterday’s win to move up to second in the
championship standings. Fighting his way through the field, Norman bested his
highest career Indy Lights career finish yesterday, recovering from his Lap 2
contact to come in seventh. Kellett, making a late race pass as debris littered
the track from a competitor’s broken wing, claimed ninth for his third top 10
finish of the season. Though battling tough luck all weekend, Herta was able to
hold on for a top 10 finish, but slipping to third in championship standings.  

Coverage from Round 5 and 6 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
airs Sunday, May 21, at 2 a.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. The Andretti Autosport
Indy Lights teams now shift focus to their first oval event of the season, the
famed Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, May 26.

Nico Jamin – No. 27 DuraMAX Powered by RelaDyne Mazda

Started: 7 // Finished: 4 

“It was a very good weekend for us, especially with the
win yesterday from the pole. Today we had a small issue in qualifying where the
fuel pump broke, so we started seventh and recovered to finish fourth. I don’t
think we had much more today, but it’s great points for the championship. We’re
now up to second and not too far from the lead, so we’ll keep fighting and get
up there.”

Ryan Norman – No. 48 Flip Side Mazda

Started: 12 // Finished: 7

“On Lap 2, we made a pass on a
competitor, making contact and running out of space. He tapped me in the
left-rear, causing me to go off track. I put my head down to get to work, and I
kept on picking people off. We had the fastest lap of the race for some time,
and I feel great getting my highest finish in Indy Lights after fighting to
recover. Andretti Autosport gave me a great car, and I couldn’t be happier with
this weekend.”

Dalton Kellett – No. 28 K-Line Insulators USA Mazda

Started: 8 // Finished: 9 

“All weekend the Andretti Autosport No. 28 K-Line
Insulators USA Mazda crew worked hard, having really good pace initially but we
were just kind of out of that window for qualifying. Our race pace kind of went
back and forth with setup and changes, and we never really found the perfect
combination. It took a little while to get up to speed, but I think once we
were there, the pace wasn’t too bad. We just needed to be there right off the
bat. Regardless, it was still an informative weekend. We’ll take what we’ve
learned for the rest of the season. We’ve got the Freedom 100 coming up, and
that was a great race for us last year. We know the Andretti oval cars are
always exceptional, so I’m really looking forward to the race.”

Colton Herta – No. 98 Deltro Energy Mazda

Started: 2 // Finished: 10 

“That
wasn’t the race we wanted. Luckily, after being hit off early, we recovered to
finish 10th which isn’t terrible. Onwards and upwards. It’ll be cool to
spend the month of May in Indianapolis, and I’m excited to finally get the
opportunity to race on the oval this year. I’ve never raced on a superspeedway
like this before, so I’m just going to feel it out in testing and see how quick
we are. We will definitely use the opportunity to test during Freedom 100 week
to our advantage and learn what we can ahead of the race.”