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Marco Andretti interview: Pocono history and his IndyCar future

By Brittany Frederick

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 15: Marco Andretti is seen during practice for the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 15, 2017 in Indianapolis, In. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 15: Marco Andretti is seen during practice for the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 15, 2017 in Indianapolis, In. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Marco Andretti returns to his home track Sunday for IndyCar’s ABC Supply 500 and spoke to FanSided about his history with the track and the future.

Marco Andretti will be coming home when IndyCar races in Sunday’s ABC Supply 500. Andretti is a Pennsylvania native, and FanSided caught up with him to talk about what Pocono Raceway means to him as well as his future in IndyCar.

In our first interview with him at the start of the 2017 IndyCar season, Marco spoke about trying to have more fun behind the wheel, but the ups and downs of the year have made it not as much fun as he’d hoped for.

“The disappointment factor is definitely there,” he admitted. “I’ve literally had four races this entire season that nothing went wrong. Somehow we’re still 13th in points, but it’s been totally abysmal to be honest.

“It’s been one thing after the other that’s gone wrong for me, and the tough part that’s frustrating for me is I can’t sit there and [talk about] what’s happened to me,” Marco added, “because when I drive for my dad it sounds like I’m making excuses.

“The facts are there. I’ve gone through a lot this year — we’ve had a lot of engine-related issues and team-related issues — so it’s been really tough on me but I’m trying to still enjoy it.”

He has a great chance to turn things around at Pocono. Short of Indianapolis, it’s the track that Andretti Autosport knows best, and Marco Andretti personally has two top-10 finishes there in the last four years. What is it about the track that appeals to him?

“I think the sheer speed of it. Trying to find the balance between Turn 1 and Turn 3 is always a challenge there, but [it’s] very rewarding to be able to do that,” he reflected. “I love how it’s a home race, it’s nice to sleep in my own bed, but I think Indy cars are made for that place.

“I think it’s going to be really fun. We put on a heck of a show. The way these cars draft on the racetrack, it gets pretty dicey, but it’s a heck of a show to watch,” he enthused, laughing, “I think there’s a picture of me 12 wide last year!”

Another factor swirling around the paddock is the future of Andretti Autosport. The rumor is that the team may switch manufacturers from Honda to Chevrolet next season, which would set off a chain reaction of other events if it happens. We asked Marco what he thinks about all the buzz regarding his team.

“Me personally I’m contracted [for 2018] so I know where I’m going to be,” he told us. “I think Honda and Chevy both do a great job … Either way we’re going to try and make it work with the team. That’s my job. So whatever way we go, hopefully it’ll be the right way.”

No matter what happens on the track, off the track there’s some definite good news for Marco Andretti: he and his fiancee Marta are tying the knot in August. As Max Chilton just got married last week, we asked Marco if he discussed wedding plans with his fellow driver.

“A little bit on the grid at Mid-Ohio but not really,” he said. “I’ve basically been married five years already; it’s just making it legal and having a party.”

What he’d also like to have is a victory party after he wins the ABC Supply 500.

“It would mean a lot more for me if I was victorious here, because obviously it’s a home race,” he said. “I’d have a heck of a party if that were the case.”

Next: Who is replacing Mikhail Aleshin in IndyCar?

The ABC Supply 500 takes place Sunday, Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBCSN. For more IndyCar news, follow the Motor Sports category at FanSided here.