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IPS Champion Wade Cunningham has First IndyCar Test |
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On December 17, 2007, one of Wade Cunningham’s dreams came true. After a two year wait, the former 2005 Indy Pro Series champion had his first test drive in an Indy car. His ride came with Andretti Green Racing at Sebring International Raceway. Along with Wade on that day of testing were AGR team members Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti and Hideki Mutoh.
Wade remarked after the test, “It was cool to drive an IndyCar Series car for the first time. It’s something that I’ve looked forward to since I came over here [from New Zealand] in 2005. I’m very grateful to Gary Peterson [AFS Racing owner] and Andrettti Green Racing for the opportunity. It was a bit difficult in the morning with the track still at 50 degrees. After 20 laps or so, it felt reasonably comfortable.”
Wade drove for AFS Racing/Andretti Green Racing for the 2007 season and finished third in the Series points. Hideki Mutoh was second in the points, with Alex Lloyd winning the championship.
Marco Andretti was no stranger to Wade either. They raced against each other in Marco’s 6 IPS races in 2005. Wade was also on the podium in all five of Marco’s IPS podium finishes. Cunningham had 10 podium finishes that season. Marco had 3 poles and 3 wins while Wade collected 1 pole and 1 win in 2005 – his win being in the season final race at California Speedway where he locked up his championship and a team championship for Brian Stewart Racing.
As for Tony Kanaan, Wade raced against him in South American karting events. Cunningham has also been a World Karting champion.
In his 40 IPS starts over the last three seasons, Cunningham claimed 7 poles while winning 5 races [winning in each of his three seasons]. He set a record with his 22 podium finishes, and then had 29 top 5 and 32 top 10 finishes. He finished 34 of his 40 races and led 566 laps. Wade's having led 17 IPS races is also a record. In the season points chase Wade has claimed 1st and two 3rd place positions.
Looking back at the Indy Pro Series since its start in 2002, its champions have been, A. J. Foyt IV, Mark Taylor, Thiago Mederios, Wade Cunningham, Jay Howard and Alex Lloyd.
Foyt, Taylor and Mederios acquired Indy car rides, and have driven in the Indy 500. Howard is signed with Marty Roth’s IndyCar team for 2008 and Lloyd will be driving for ChipGanassi. Cunningham is the last of the champions to be looking for a team that will give him a chance to show his skill and talent at the IndyCar level and at the 500.
For sure, all of Wade’s fans know what his next dream is.
Cunningham’s web site is www.wadecunningham.com |
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