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Open-wheel racing champ Michael Andretti stops by Fox Car Report to talk about his latest job as Celebrity Apprentice
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Welcome to Bob Bob -- and -- you have to -- The new year is upon us and that means new racing season on the way as well a new television season.
With us today someone involved in both of those Arenas for August the first time ever Michael Andretti thanks for dropping by today -- -- Your chip behind the -- your chip behind pit wall as well as an owner.
Now you're an apprentice -- the other way around the pressure first of.
And you think it's.
Fullback.
I do things backwards.
Pretty excited about -- -- -- an apprentice and you know it's it's an intentionally.
And what you see and he is literally in this this year is no different -- Pretty -- Do you -- -- because -- got a Miller first -- -- -- seemed a little weird in an associate likes of the board your dad Mario might be involved.
Actually we here is again involved because my son Marco was those.
-- -- -- and then tragedy happened with the hand as well as he lost his grandfatherly at same time.
And the next day islands.
They asked me to go in place so I actually showed up in the first episode in the middle of the first absolutely.
It's mind wow -- deal with one out we'll get to that race -- season presumably you know it is a busy offseason got all new cars all -- coming next year.
How do you balance that.
With doing it surely does which I know is an intense productions that was tough that -- really tough I mean you know we did most of what we're not done with that but we've done most of it now -- -- October November and at that time there's a lot going on my team and when you were in that show you're currently nobody can hold you and so it was a tough to leave.
Shop at that point but my guys -- this did agree -- -- support -- in hand.
Huge -- of apprentices currently -- allies that whose only other people.
-- these on this course and you know calls on -- -- -- -- -- No -- You know Paul from.
Choppers putts and -- also -- charlatans and thanks he's.
Teresa from.
House -- Spot there's eighteen -- of us.
The reality TV -- comparative reality of car races which is another pretty high intensity -- never.
Quite different.
You know reality he is something new for -- Stephanie and not in my element and you know it took a lot he's been there but in the end it was a lot of fun man I got to -- lot of great people and and I've taken some different.
And it's not just for fun -- -- to this Jerry's Jerry -- tortured my cherry was racing for cancer.
And which we we.
Our team got involved through.
Rate tries for his mother died of cancer started Terry L we've been working with.
Thing's been about two years -- -- -- -- Please for Terry -- Norton.
And Donald Trump you know we've been here a lot about -- maybe whoever president may be remote if he did and he was elected.
Would you accept the post of department of secretary of transportation -- It.
That is the question.
You know.
The general area of the country -- street racing network via via the it's -- about race ineptitude -- the -- coming up coming off a big season and fortunately you know tragic ending to with -- pass Wheldon but that we can move forward all new car.
All dimensions for all the -- three new engine manufacturers the first multiple.
You know there.
What is that like in the offseason what you doing.
It was in the sense right now I mean we're urges you know we're sizing up the competition and we don't know that against the enemy factors.
Let along the guys that are with the same engines and there's a lot of it lot of stuff going on -- starting on new programs in hope and our programs work better and the other guys and that.
You know in terms of our programs says that so there's a lot going on getting -- -- target -- for first Harrison they're two men.
You know goes does this level the playing field urges a big operation like you're still have a huge advantage -- the smaller teams.
I would say it's probably in.
Widening gap for the bigger teams you know because he'll card's been around so long that it is hard again in the -- on it anymore.
Com so I think the same team there -- the topples them.
The car now finalized there's still -- some tweaking to there's a good weekend here and there which you know they're gonna be -- probably -- up and so.
You know start a year which and we all expected.
What do you hear from the drivers about how this is different than Leo car it's hard drive yeah you know and it's funny you know the drivers they ask for two things one is slow the cars down in -- -- drive and that's what -- -- able to do with this car.
Now there -- complain about it.
But it that's typical drivers on their happiness in her apartment.
You know I think the cars and it really bring out the talent -- -- drivers I think it is hard drive.
One of the good things about having the single engine for the last couple years has.
Helped reliability.
-- product now -- three different.
Areas and lot of different teams portion.
As far as I mean to the rules keep it to the point where.
They are out his only hope you can get and then there's a lot more left and then and it's gonna run like well -- -- because they are Smart -- they did each and that's the last 2000 miles.
So they have to make a line because if you don't if you have -- change and and you get penalized for that time so.
You know I think you know they're working very hard on reliability as well as you know the you know this power.
What about the attracts this year -- what's would you like.
A big change last year a lot of new tracks on the sooners.
You know again IndyCar deal -- those ovals road courses and street courses what's coming up this year it's.
I think just you know building on what we've had.
You know there's there's I think this year you can see in 91 new race -- my pop up on -- schedule.
But his post for a -- -- -- but I think in 2013.
-- in the morning races that mostly street races.
But it think something that we can do in NASCAR does and I think that's something that's really different and exciting.
Part of our sport industry if you lost Danica Patrick is what -- she moved over -- Oscar this year for spoke.
You feel about these people that sort of look at Indy cars -- steppingstone.
To NASCAR as opposed to the other way -- -- profits that.
I would put it like I think it's been out this -- -- this -- design challenge it's like when Torre did Wednesday it was a steppingstone.
But I would say that for a driver to do that it's -- you know.
Michael Jordan saying don't -- that's what Glenn -- baseball I mean that's sort of the way it is does that differ.
A year and aptly you know it's it takes different.
Athletic abilities and different experience -- these guys have been run in these type cars their old life where is an open -- -- -- in open wheel type cars all light and really difficult to make that transition so.
You know it's really quite unfair and try to compare the talent too because I'll put it.
Our guys up against -- and their top guys and I respect their top guys that I respect card.
But it really is two very different but there's different.
Your team firmed up for this year who's the -- Alert to car where about ray announces third driver were not there yet but word probably few days away from doing that and and still work and four cars.
It's the world and you need to do for cars for -- -- -- -- bring something different we're hoping I mean RRR.
Home run hit would be four cars all season in in.
Five in which is done.
That's -- work -- you will judge you -- an annual list of 2007.
You really haven't gotten back -- any -- since then at -- They -- Indy cars but is there any kind of sports Kerry seemingly they wanna do -- around and I mean it.
When I was trying to drive -- practice I couldn't do those things you.
Person either side and so my total focus now justice on shipments that's -- put them.
I'm very happy with what I've done in my -- am happy to put -- -- in -- work.
You know took your father mark on the show before and it's got its -- that no one likes them much what would you drive -- when not at the I got I got in -- Chevy driver so we haven't Denali and palaces field cars but.
You know but dad loses it is and -- heard.
From that.
Again you know recent but it -- wondered the race car drivers are now owners you're getting the car at a test day and pick for -- you know it is.
I mean for one just the driver just can't get in the car and again it take to C input in the belt it takes like an hour -- -- That's I mean -- -- and the desire so for an shape anyway now in I'm I'm I'm.
It and let -- drivers or pain do work ambulances that the credit card now.
-- -- in government and especially to stand hard drive but -- I'd be very multi talented Michael -- will be seen on TV all over the place and -- -- press.
Of course over.
-- this upcoming season thanks so much for dropping by -- That's it for fox car report we'll see you next time -- fox car report dot com with news.
And automotive.
