ATLANTA, GA (Thursday, October 5, 2023) – SKI Autosports racer Johnny O’Connell is set to go racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time in 27 years this weekend in the final round of the 2023 GT America championship.
In 1996 O’Connell tackled the world’s most famous race, the Indianapolis 500. The veteran is hoping for better fortune this time around aboard SKI Autosports’ Audi R8 LMS.
For his Indianapolis 500 debut, O’Connell started on the 10th row but sadly fell out of the race after 47 laps with a fuel pick-up issue.
For SKI Autosports, this will be the team’s second try at the Brickyard after having mixed results in 2022 in a Ferrari. The team had to miss the first race of the weekend due to mechanical issues, which were the result of an on-track incident but came back in race two with a podium finish.
“We’re looking forward to returning to Indy this week. There is no better racing facility in the U.S. Being able to race at Indy is a privilege that we don’t take for granted,” said team owner Kent Hussey.
“I’ve done Indy in a corporate sponsorship role for the 500 and NASCAR races, but by far, my favorite is as a team owner in sports cars.
“We’ve had a great season so far, and we have every intention of ending it on a high note. Johnny and the Audi R8 have proven to be a great combination. It’s not over until the checkered flag on Sunday, but we have a strong lead in the Masters Cup championship, even with missing the first two races of the season.
“When we started the season in New Orleans, our expectations were to learn the series better, race at some tracks that were new to us and get on the podium as often as possible.
“We have far exceeded that mark. The team has been as solid as could be with Johnny at the wheel, Rossella (Manfrinato) setting up the car and Phil (Creighton) and his crew calling the shots.”
GT America Race 1 will be held on Friday, October 5, and Race 2 will be Sunday, October 7.
GT AMERICA SCHEDULE:
Thursday, October 4, 2023
8:30 – 9:00: Practice #1
3:50 – 4:20: Practice #2
Friday, October 5, 2023
8:00 – 8:15: Qualifying
1:40 – 2:20: Race #1
Saturday, October 6, 2023
1:30 – 2:15: Driver Autograph Session
Sunday, October 7, 2023
8:35 – 9:15: Race #2
Live on-track action is available at https://www.gtamerica.us/
Follow SKI Autosports at:
Twitter @AutosportsSki
Instagram @skiautosportsofficial
JOHNNY O’CONNELL
“As we come to the end of the season, I can’t say enough about what a great job everybody at SKI Autosports has done. Not only being competitive with a 10-year-old car, but getting some wins and several podiums. How do you spell great? Now when it comes to Indy the only experience I have is doing the 500 in 1996. That didn’t go so well, but I’m hoping my sports car background, and a great set up, will put us in position to get a win there. I think it’s a circuit that will suit our car reasonably well.”
