Conjure up the image of a modern-day INDYCAR superhero and Alexander Rossi comes to mind.
The Andretti Autosport driver displays all of the qualities of a racing star of 2020. He is fast, incredibly aggressive and amazingly fearless. He isn’t afraid to say what is on his mind, even if his comments ruffle a few feelings from the targets.
He fights hard for every inch on the race track and is willing to put the race car in a few areas other drivers find too risky.
Plus, he knows how to win and win the big races.
Rossi proved that in 2016 when he won the 100th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge for his first career victory. He followed that in 2017 with a victory at the iconic Watkins Glen International road course. In 2018 and 2019, he drove two near-perfect races to win the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach both years.
Last year, he had another flawless performance at Road America.
Rossi has accomplished a tremendous amount in a short period of time. As he enters the 2020 season, he is hoping to complete a conquest for the championship, the one thing that has eluded him since joining the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2016.
“I’m much more prepared than I was last year,” Rossi told NTT INDYCAR Mobile. “I’m working towards it and hopefully I’ll be able to execute and be leading the championship going into the finale instead of trying to chase someone and try to overtake them in the last race.”
When Rossi isn’t racing an Indy car, chances are he is stepping out of the realm to race a different kind of vehicle. The past two seasons, he has been part of the Honda Ridgeline Baja 1000 effort. He went to Australia in October to compete in the Bathurst 1000.
This past weekend, he was part of Acura Team Penske’s two-car program at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, an IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship sports car race.
“I’m fortunate to have these opportunities come because of my relationship with Honda,” Rossi said. “That has allowed me to be part of their Ridgeline program in Mexico and the Acura program with the prototype as well. It came to fruition last year and we were able to continue it in 2020. I’m proud to represent the brand and hopefully get some results for them.”
Auto racing is a different kind of sport. When basketball season is over, a player can still practice his skills on the court. When baseball season concludes, there are always batting cages available for a workout. In auto racing, nothing replaces practicing for racing than being in a race car.
“That’s what we are all trying to get better at each day,” Rossi said. “Going to simulators and being in the gym only does so much. I don’t know if driving these types of (sports) cars really helps me when I get in an Indy car, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. It’s a way to stay sharp in terms of race craft and being in the car.
“It’s a positive thing, but I wouldn’t necessarily say it helps me being in an Indy car.”
There are many things that Rossi picked up in his second Rolex 24 At Daytona this past weekend, but his shot at contending for a win was thwarted just four hours into the race. That is when three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves was involved in a crash with another competitor.
Acura Team Penske made extensive repairs to the car and was able to get it back in the race. But before Rossi had his first driving stint, the car was significantly behind the leaders because of the time in the garage.
Rossi was able to put on an impressive effort during his time in the wheel and the team used the remaining 20 hours as a practice session.
“Every time you are in a race car you are learning something and get better at your craft,” Rossi said. “Endurance racing isn’t about an ultimate lap time; it’s about average over a stint. The setups are very different. The philosophy and driving styles are unique as well because the cars are heavier.
“But you are staying sharp from a race craft perspective. You are always learning and learning from teammates. I have access to information from five other really good drivers and what they are doing. You always pick up different tricks.”
By driving for the legendary Roger Penske, Rossi considers it a tremendous opportunity to represent the winningest team owner in major racing history. He also enjoyed working with Team Penske President Tim Cindric.
In the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Rossi is the star driver for Andretti Autosport. That gives the driver from Northern California to learn how two legendary teams operate.
“They are very different teams in a lot of ways but very similar in a lot of other ways,” he said. “Each team has its own way going through processes and information. You try to extract the best out of the team and the people you are with and hopefully it produces wins and championships.”
Although Rossi has the look and the attitude of a modern-day racing superhero, he is also a throwback to the days of Parnelli Jones, A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti. These legends drove a variety of different race cars and each achieved excellence in different racing categories.
“It has to work from a sponsorship and team standpoint,” Rossi said of getting a chance to compete in other forms of racing. “It also has to work from a scheduling standpoint. INDYCAR is a unique series from October to February that allows us to be able to do this.
“I would prefer to be INDYCAR racing all the way through November, but this is the next best thing.”
The Rolex 24 is over for 2020. Rossi returns to his No. 27 NAPA Honda at Circuit of The Americas for INDYCAR’s open test Feb. 11-12.
“There is a big change coming with the Aeroscreen,” Rossi said. “It will be interesting to see how that reacts during a legitimate two-day test at a track we were at last year. It will be important at that test to get all of the kinks on the car worked out before St. Pete.”
The 17-race NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opens with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 15.