Interview with Marco Andretti, Dan Wheldon and Danica Patrick.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

THE MODERATOR: Let's welcome to the podium Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick. We'll also be joined by Dan Wheldon and Sam Hornish Jr.

This Saturday night's race will mark the first for Danica and Marco as teammates at Andretti Green Racing. It will also mark their second starts at this track. You might remember that Danica's car was withdrawn here a year ago, so she has one start at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Marco started in his first IndyCar Series event here one year ago. Unfortunately broke a half shaft early on. How many laps did you complete, do you remember?

MARCO ANDRETTI: No. I'm going to try to complete a lot more this year, though.

THE MODERATOR: You turned 20 years old nine days ago. Many people have mentioned you as a championship contender in your second year in the IndyCar Series. Do you see yourself that way?

MARCO ANDRETTI: I definitely think it's possible. I don't want to speak too soon, but so far we seem to get better where we were lacking last year. So hopefully Andretti Green can be quick across the board rather than just the short ovals and the road courses. I think if that happens, yeah, it's definitely possible. I mean, we're going to have to win more races, we're going to have to be consistent, we're going to have to not break drive shafts the first two races of the season.

I think it's definitely going to be possible.

THE MODERATOR: By the way, we mentioned Marco's birthday. Danica will be celebrating her golden birthday on Sunday.

DANICA PATRICK: Some people pretend they don't know what golden is, but it's extra special this weekend. Mostly my husband doesn't know what the golden birthday is. I think he's mad because he had it when he was four.

THE MODERATOR: Do you want to tell everybody what it is?

DANICA PATRICK: My birthday is March 25th, so I'm 25 on the 25th. Great excuse.

THE MODERATOR: Interestingly enough, you add those together and it comes up to seven. You may have some numerology working in your favor.

DANICA PATRICK: It's in the stars.

DAN WHELDON: We need to be around for Marco's 21st. I think that's going to be a golden birthday. Let me tell you, we'll make it a golden birthday.

THE MODERATOR: Next March 13th I guess it will be. We'll take a couple questions.

Q. Marco, for lack of a better word, how much more mature do you feel coming into this year than you did last year? Not only your ability in your race craft, but also your confidence level.

MARCO ANDRETTI: Yeah, I don't know, I mean, I have a year under my belt basically is how I feel about it. Every track I go to, I've raced an IndyCar at. That just helps so much more. The whole month of May last year, just the seat time for me, you just bring a little bit more of that quiet confidence back. Hopefully we keep that confidence.

DAN WHELDON: He's a lot more confident off the track as well. You should see him with the ladies. It's impressive.