From my (Jake Query) IMS Radio perch atop the Northeast Vista, I’ve seen ya. I’ve seen ya pulling names from a hat and the driver’s name you pull end up being your favorite for the next 500 miles.
So, for the 33 days leading up to the race, I figured I’d let ya know more about the PEOPLE in the cockpit or the people you may end up rooting for when you pull a name out of a hat. A couple things you might want to know about these drivers is…
- Who shares YOUR passion?
- Who likes YOUR favorite musician?
- Whose story strikes a chord that connects beyond the strip of paper you pulled from the hat?
Strap in. Ride along for 33 days of “Get to know”.
Santino Ferrucci – Dreyer & Reinbold Racing – Car #23
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- NASHVILLE, TN – AUGUST 07: NTT Indy Car driver Santino Ferrucci (45) drives thru turn 5 during qualifications for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on August 7, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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- INDIANAPOLIS, IN – April 20: NTT IndyCar series driver Santino Ferrucci climbs into his car during practice on April 20, 2022 during the open test for the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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- DETROIT, MI – JUNE 12: NTT Indy Car Series driver Santino Ferrucci (45) drives into turn one during the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix on June 12, 2021 at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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- HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 27: Santino Ferrucci, driver of the #26 Stillhouse Whiskey Toyota, walks the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Contender Boats 250 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on February 27, 2021 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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- NASHVILLE, TN – AUGUST 08: Indy Car driver Santino Ferrucci (45) drives through turn 7 during the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on August 8, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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- INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – AUGUST 23: Santino Ferrucci, driver of the #18 SealMaster Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser Sullivan Honda, races during the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 23, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
All You Need To Know About Santino Ferrucci.
Finish better than where you started. It seems like it could be the official motto of Santino Ferrucci. It’s not where the journey began. It’s the direction you decide to take it.
Perhaps that’s how he ended up in IndyCar.
He began his career as a promising karter near his him in Woodbury, Connecticut. GQ magazine featured his skill when he was just 11 years old, and by the age of 14, he was racing professionally in the SPF2000 winter series. Within 4 years, he left for Europe to race in multiple disciplines.
In 2018, he ran into trouble while running Formula2, suspended for in car infractions.
He left the series, but stayed as a Formula One test driver.
It’s not where you begin, it’s the direction you decide to take it.
Ferrucci returned state side, running a pair of 2018 IndyCar races for Dale Coyne Racing before signing with the team full time in 2019.
In 3 Indy 500s, he has: Started 23rd and finished 7th, started 19th and finished 4th, and started 23rd and finished 6th. He has an average improvement of 16 spots per race, and has led in all 3 outings. Statistics befitting his racing journey.
Energetic and gregarious, Ferrucci enjoys online gaming and Marvel comics. He is also an avid golfer.
