MICHAEL ANDRETTI RECORDS 200TH WIN AS TEAM OWNER

LONG BEACH, California — Michael Andretti remembers not knowing what to expect from becoming a team owner in Indy car racing.

An impressive driving career with 42 wins was one thing. Enjoying that kind of success as the boss, well, that’s something else.

That’s why Andretti, not known for being too sentimental, couldn’t help but sound a bit touched by the significance of Sunday’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Andretti Autosport’s Alexander Rossi dominated to win from the pole for a second consecutive NTT IndyCar Series season, but this victory marked the team’s 200th triumph across all racing platforms.

ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT: List of 200 race wins

“Did I ever expect to be at 200 wins over, I don’t know how many years it’s been, 15 or whatever?” said Andretti, who became co-owner of what was then Andretti Green Racing in 2003. “No. I mean, I think I didn’t know what to expect, to be honest with you. It’s been a lot of fun. Been a lot of hard work. It’s definitely different being on this side of it, being an owner over a driver.

“It’s got its challenges, but it also has its rewards. For me, it still gives me a reason to get up in the morning. It’s always a challenge, something new, something you have to deal with every day. I like challenges.”

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