Ferrucci Cuts ROTY Deficit with a Top Five at Pocono

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer

Santino Ferrucci put on a blistering performance in front of his biggest fans and family members at Pocono Raceway.

From dodging the opening lap melee to the race being called off due to weather after 128 of 200 laps, Ferrucci brought his No. 19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda home in fourth during Sunday’s ABC Supply 500.

The Northeasterner’s homecoming race started off by going full throttle to avoid the five-car accident in Turn 2, involving his Rookie of the Year rival Felix Rosenqvist, who’s car ended up making slight contact towards the fence.

Rosenqvist was sent to a local hospital and later checked and released. He was also cleared to run at Gateway next Saturday.

Ferrucci escaped by going all out, making a case that oval racing is when he shines best. A bid of catching the leaders soon followed but pit strategy played a role into unable to perhaps go for a race win.

Instead, he equaled his careercaree finish from Texas back in June and commented how satisfied he was with his superb result at “The Tricky Triangle.”

“This weekend has been pretty amazing to have over 120 people here, from family and friends to sponsors and to race in front of such a large crowd,” Ferrucci said. “Hats off to the whole team, we rolled the car off the trailer and it was fast. I’d say that’s a job well-done and homework well-researched.

“The No. 19 Cly-Del Manufacturing Honda was on rails. I think we definitely had a top three in us and we were fighting for a chance to win the race at one point. Obviously with the conditions and everything, I’m still happy to bring home a top-five.”

Ferrucci is now 13 markers behind Rosenqvist for top rookie honors, cutting some of the deficit with just three rounds remaining.

“It makes a huge difference in the rookie championship and moves us up to 12th overall,” Ferrucci said. “With three races to go and one more oval, we’ll see how much further we can move up.”

The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Wide World Technology at Gateway commences Saturday, August 24. It’ll air live on NBCSN with coverage beginning at 8:00 pm EST. Pocono winner Will Power is the defending race winner of the 248-lap contest.