INDYCARNATION

It’s hard to believe the 2010 IZOD IndyCar season is over. However, we are already well into testing and planning for 2011.

In many ways, 2010 was very satisfying. We started out with a three-race deal. Beginning of the season, the Indy 500, and Homestead. It was three races and that was it.

Then, after the momentum we built in Sao Paulo -- leading quite a few laps, almost coming home with the win and finishing second – the ball started rolling. During the year we backed that performance up with two more podiums, three fastest race laps, and five more top-five finishes, which -- with IndyCar more competitive than it has been in the last decade -- is an accomplishment. 

And, winning Long Beach, obviously, was a very big deal. Not only is the Long Beach Grand Prix the second-most prestigious race on the IndyCar calendar but to help deliver the first win to the team as Andretti Autosport, at the track where Michael won his last race as a driver was very special. Additionally, for the team to be able to deliver IZOD a win in their first year as a primary sponsor of the IZOD IndyCar Series was very satisfying. 

The reality is a few weeks prior to Long Beach I didn’t even know if I was going to be in the car for that race. So, when you look at it from that perspective, coupled with the fact it was my first year with the team, it was a very successful season.

However, when you look at Long Beach and fast-forward through May and the rest of the season, after winning a race, you expect to win at least one or two more. So, on that side of it, it was disappointing that we didn’t fully deliver on our potential.  

Looking back we know the areas where we can improve and eliminate mistakes, so that’s a positive to take into next season. Overall, I’d say it was a successful season because we went into it not knowing what the outcome would be. In the end, we brought home a “W” and for the entire season, up until the last lap at Homestead, we were the lead car outside of Ganassi and Penske. We fought hard – fought really hard – and had some standout performances.

Now, we’re working hard on 2011 and we have the stability of a two-year contract to build on together. 

I couldn’t be happier to be back with Andretti Autosport.  It’s a great team and I can't say enough about their professionalism both on, and off, the track. Michael knows what he wants as an owner, and has put some of the best people in the industry in key management positions to ensure his vision for Andretti Autosport will become a reality. We’ve got some pretty high expectations and a lot of work to do, but we’re up to the task. It’s an exciting time for the team.

One thing I will really miss next year is working with Tony Kanaan. Tony is a great friend, will always be a great friend, and I wish him nothing but the best.  We worked really close this year and I had a great time with him.  But, as I know only too well, it comes down to dollars and cents and when 7-Eleven ended their primary sponsorship of the 11 car, it put the team, and Tony, in a bad spot.

A lot of people took it that “TK is out and Ryan is in” and that couldn’t be further from what really happened. Andretti Autosport has four separate car operations and unfortunately the 11 car came on hard times with the departure of 7-11 and the financial climate we’re in. The team has to sort that out, and I have every confidence they will, however that’s not my business to get into.

The fact is the team's commercial department had been working hard all year to make the 37 operation with me as the driver a reality long term, and they were so confident those efforts would pan out they signed an option on my contract for 2011 and 2012 just before this year’s Indy 500 race.

I really don’t know how this whole thing will shake out, there is even a chance TK could be back as my teammate next year. But one thing is certain, Tony is a great guy and a true champion. The team came a long way with TK and he was a major part of the team. I could tell that from the first day I walked in the doors. 

I’m very thankful for the support I have within Andretti Autosport, they totally believe in me and I in them. What we’ve accomplished over the past year is just the foundation to build on. I know we can pick up where we left off as every member of the team is totally focused on delivering results and winning races. Working together we will win races and the IZOD IndyCar Series championship is a reasonable goal. This team has done it before and we are determined to do it again.

I also want to thank the fans. They’ve been so supportive over the last few years. The reaction I got from the fans after we announced my new contract was pretty cool. I really appreciate all that support, I’m very fortunate to be in the position I’m in, and I’m ready to work harder than I ever have to take advantage of a huge opportunity.

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