Cook Racing Technologies (CRT) made a significant announcement on Thursday, revealing the signing of the 36-year-old grandson of racing icon Mario Andretti to participate in various races across the 2024 ARCA Menards and NASCAR Truck series.
The renowned Andretti will take part in 13 ARCA races, steering CRT’s No. 17 Chevrolet. His journey commences with the season opener at Daytona International Speedway on February 17. Having already undergone testing at the track last weekend, Andretti has received clearance to compete at all series tracks.
Beyond the ARCA events, Andretti will extend his presence to seven Truck races, steering the No. 04 Chevrolet in collaboration with Roper Racing. His inaugural Truck race will take place at the Circuit of the Americas in March.
Over the last three seasons, Andretti has been a part of the six-race SRX Series, renowned for its races on short asphalt and dirt oval tracks during the summer. Notably, he clinched a victory in his debut season and secured the series championship in 2022.
Andretti’s most recent appearance in the IndyCar series was in the 2023 Indianapolis 500, where he finished 17th under the banner of Andretti Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian.
Expressing his satisfaction with the 2024 racing program, Andretti stated, “This plan is a good mixture of races with the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series that provides maximum track time, which is what I’m after.” He emphasized the importance of gradually building experience in stock cars and expressed confidence in the competitiveness of his team under the leadership of team owner Bruce Cook.
Having made his NASCAR national series debut in the Xfinity Series in 2022, Andretti continued to make three Truck starts during the 2023 season with Spire Motorsports.
CRT, the reigning ARCA Menards Series West championship team, operates under the co-ownership of Bruce Cook and Steve McGowan. Cook, who will also serve as Andretti’s crew chief, commented on Andretti’s versatility and potential for consistent front-running performances with more seat time in the stock car realm.
In terms of sponsorship, MMI Racing and Sun West Construction will support Andretti’s races, with additional sponsors to be unveiled at a later date.
The detailed race schedule for Andretti in the 2024 season includes:
- Feb. 17 – Daytona (ARCA)
- March 8 – Phoenix (ARCA)
- March 23 – COTA (Trucks)
- April 26 – Dover (ARCA)
- May 4 – Kansas (ARCA)
- May 31 – Portland (ARCA West)
- June 7 – Sonoma (ARCA West)
- June 14 – Iowa (ARCA)
- June 21 – Mid-Ohio (ARCA)
- July 19 – IRP (ARCA)
- Aug. 11 – IRP (Trucks)
- Aug. 25 – Milwaukee (ARCA)
- Aug. 25 – Milwaukee (Trucks)
- Sept. 13 – Watkins Glen (ARCA)
- Sept. 19 – Bristol (ARCA)
- Sept. 19 – Bristol (Trucks)
- Sept. 27 – Kansas (ARCA)
- Sept. 27 – Kansas (Trucks)
- Oct. 26 – Homestead (Trucks)
- Nov. 8 – Phoenix (Trucks)
