INDIANAPOLIS, IN (Sunday, October 9, 2022) – After missing the opening race of the weekend suffering damage from contact in qualifying, SKI Autosports, and Andy Pilgrim bounced back with an impressive run to third place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today.
SKI Autosports headed to Indy with high hopes for success on the road course for the season finale of the SRO GT America series. Racing a limited schedule in 2022, the team had finished on the podium at their previous SRO events at VIR and Road America, winning at Road America.
However, Pilgrim was taken out in qualifying by another competitor, and the required repairs called for parts to be flown into Indianapolis for the Ferrari 458 GT3 – forcing the team to sit out race one on Friday.
After repairs were complete, Pilgrim started seventh for Sunday’s race two and quickly worked his way through the field, setting the fastest lap time at 1.25.229.
Having only two previous starts at the Racing Capital of the World, Pilgrim advanced to second place, but a wheel vibration on the final lap caused him to back off to secure the podium finish in third place.
“It’s always a thrill to race at Indy,” said team owner Kent Hussey. “Although the weekend had its ups and downs, the team did a great job getting the car back together after the qualifying incident, and Andy was terrific in race two, working his way through the field – classic Andy Pilgrim racing to the front.
“By the time he made his way to P2, there just wasn’t enough time left in the race to go after George (Kurtz), but on the final lap, there was an issue. We’re thrilled to finish on the podium at Indy.”
Andy Pilgrim:
“We didn’t make the first race because of the incident in qualifying but we got the parts we needed for the second race. It was a great fight with the Corvette through to the final laps of the race while battling handling and brake issues during the race. I’m very happy for the SKI Autosport crew, they worked hard to get us to the grid for the second race. It’s been lots of fun running with them.”
