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Race report

Team's best result for Marco Andretti at Pocono

In an unlucky race for his teammates, Marco Andretti, in front of a hometown crowd, led four times but was unable to fight for the victory.

Start: Marco Andretti leads

Start: Marco Andretti leads

Bret Kelley

Marco Andretti, No. 25 RC Cola Chevrolet

Start: Marco Andretti leads
Start: Marco Andretti leads

Photo by: Bret Kelley

Earning his fourth career pole, third-generation racer Marco Andretti led the field to the green flag today to record his 125th career start in front of a hometown crowd. Andretti led four times but was unable to fight for the victory at the end due to fuel mileage. The 26-year-old brought the RC Cola Chevy home to a 10th-place finish and remains third in the championship points standings.

"Oh man, I mean we knew early (about our fuel mileage), but not early enough. I think we should have responded quicker, but it's so hard to be reserved right now. I'm so frustrated for RC Cola and everybody; we were just so dominant and I'm just absolutely gutted."

Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 1 DHL Chevrolet

Holding a spot within the top three for much of the beginning of the 400-mile race, Hunter-Reay was put out of contention when he was hit from behind while traveling down pit lane. The reigning champion and the No. 1 DHL crew went back to the garages to make repairs and were back on track on Lap 82 with 22 laps down. The Florida resident parked his Chevy-powered machine on Lap 144 to finish in the 20th position and remains second in the championship points fight.

"We had a great car today, just a little too much understeer to start with, so we were just going to add front wing as we went. I really think we had a great car to challenge for the win, was really looking forward to the rest of the race - I love this race track. Then we were just coming in to pitlane, minding our own business, and we get creamed from behind.

It's unfortunate but we've come from further back to win the championship and we're determined to do it again. The DHL Chevy boys got me back out on the track; we tried to salvage some points, and I think we got one position. It's so frustrating when you're running top three, top two, really happy with your car and then somebody comes from out of nowhere to take you out."

E.J. Viso, No. 5 Team Venezuela PDVSA CITGO Chevrolet

From the start of the Pocono INDYCAR 400, Viso attempted to keep the No. 5 machine under control while experiencing handling issues in his backup car which was put together following his crash in qualifying on Saturday. The Venezuelan and his Team Venezuela PDVSA CITGO crew made several pit stops to help alleviate the issues, even coming in to put the car on the setup pad on Lap 94. Once the team made a few adjustments, the 28-year-old headed back out for another 14 laps before finally parking on Lap 151 to finish in 21st.

"It was a pretty disappointing weekend from qualifying on; things never went the right way for me. In the race, since Lap 1, it was extremely difficult to drive - we still don't know what the problem is. During the race, the car was wandering on me in the straights, in the corners, going from side-to-side. I just needed to stop to have a look at the car, to see if there was anything wrong. But obviously, at that point, it was very late in the race and we lost plenty of ground. From here on there are many street and road courses coming. I believe we have everything it takes to be in the front in those upcoming races."

James Hinchcliffe, No. 27 GoDaddy Chevrolet

Entering the weekend fourth in the championship points standings, GoDaddy driver James Hinchcliffe started today's race from the outside of the front row. The Canadian driver's momentum after a win in Iowa two weeks ago was broken after an on track incident in Turn 3 on the opening lap of today's 400-mile race. Due to the contact, Hinchcliffe posted a 24th place finish and falls to fifth in the points standings.

"I mean it just snapped, we got loose. We've been battling understeer with a hot day. We were planning on the car being a bit more pushy than...I guess it ultimately ended up being. We went a little aggressive on setup. I don't know, maybe we went too much or what. It's just so weird. I had a moment almost like that in qualifying, and I guess I used up all my luck/talent saving it the; we didn't have enough this time.

With the downforce level we were running, and the setup that we had, there is just no way I thought that was the kind of accident that would have taken us out especially on lap one especially when the tires are fresh and everything was good. It is devastating, man, to have the GoDaddy car out; Andretti Autosport one-two-three didn't last too long. I feel bad for the team; the guys worked so hard. Hopefully Marco and Ryan can fly the flag, and try to bring it home for us."

Andretti Autosport

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