Ferrucci storms from 21st to second in Detroit

Santino Ferrucci made a quiet IndyCar Series debut in 2018 with Dale Coyne Racing at the Dual In Detroit, taking 22nd in the first race, 20th at the second, and just delivered a loud and unabashed reminder of how the lifelong road racer is more than a savant on ovals after leading eight laps on Sunday and securing a career-best second place in his eighth season of IndyCar racing.

Starting a lowly 21st, the American improved 19 positions over the 100-lap race in the No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevy – first driver home for the Bowtie at its home Chevy Grand Prix of Detroit race – and thanks to the huge points haul, Ferrucci jumped from 15th in the championship to 10th.

“First off. Huge, huge shoutout to this whole team,” said Ferrucci, who also ranked as the top Team Penske-affiliated driver at Detroit. “We were struggling in qualifying. I struggled, I made a lot of mistakes. I was hard on myself yesterday because it was all on me. Pit stops were phenomenal. The stand was amazing with perfect strategy. I just got lucky with that yellow and I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see a red flag. I was really struggling.

“I don’t know what I did with the tires, but I couldn’t get them to come back to life. Kyle (Kirkwood, who won) was so fast today. Congratulations to him and his team. I’m just happy to bring Chevy to the podium in our Sexton Properties A.J. Foyt Racing Foyt back on the podium on the streets of Detroit.”