Antinucci hopes to make oval debut at Chicago
Richard Antinucci, the pole sitter for the Carneros 100 and winner of the Valley of the Moon 100 at Infineon Raceway, said the Cheever Racing Indy Pro Series team has organized an Indy Pro Series rookie test at Chicagoland Speedway next week.
His immediate goal is to compete in the season finale at Chicagoland on Sept. 9. The longer-term objective is to move to the IndyCar Series. Antinucci, 26, nephew of 1998 Indianapolis 500 winner Eddie Cheever Jr., has competed in eight road/street course races in his first year in the Indy Pro Series.
“I know it’s not ideal and I don’t expect to be extremely competitive (at Chicagoland) as I am on the road courses, but I have to learn at some point, ” said Antinucci, who recorded his first victory at Mid-Ohio last month. “That would be a whole different level of experience. “
Before entering the Indy Pro Series, Antinucci competed in Formula 3 Euroseries in 2006. He won the Formula 3 World Cup Champion title in 2003.
“There’s definitely a chance a (full season) in the Indy Pro Series, but we’re really trying hard to get into the (IndyCar Series), ” he said. “It’s a huge budget that’s needed. We need to raise interest. ”
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