#Toronto Marks the Halfway Point
The Molson Indy in the streets of Toronto’s Exhibition Place will be the 10th race of the 20-race season. It could also produce the ninth different winner.
By Marc Sproule, cart.com
TORONTO, Ontario -- There is one thing that is absolutely certain about this weekend’s Molson Indy: No matter who wins, Roberto Moreno will leave Toronto with nothing less than a tie in the points standings.
Moreno’s perfect 22-point effort two weeks ago in Cleveland left him that many points ahead of Michael Andretti in the season points, 90 to 68. Technically, Andretti (Big Kmart Texaco/Havoline Newman/Haas Ford/Lola) could leave here ahead of Moreno in the standings, but he wouldn’t be ahead on points.
Should Andretti win the pole, lead the most laps and win the race -- without Moreno scoring any points -- then he would be counted ahead of Moreno (Visteon Patrick Racing Ford/Reynard). This would be Andretti’s second victory of the season and would place him ahead of Moreno on that basis.
The most likely scenario, though, is that Moreno will leave here still atop the championship.
Moreno has finished seven of the nine races this season and has not placed outside the top 10 in those races. In addition to his win at Cleveland, the Brazilian has three other podium finishes -- two seconds and a third -- to his credit. Points are awarded to the top 12 finishers.
Although this is his first season with the Patrick team, Moreno has obviously fit in very well.
“When I joined the Visteon/Patrick Racing team, I thought it would take some time for the team and I to adjust to each other,” Moreno said. “I expected to be within the first six places in the championship at this point but not leading by 22 points. I think that we have been able to perform at such a high level because of the strong relationship between the Visteon/Patrick Racing team and myself.”
“The Toronto street circuit is a track that I like. Last year I did well there, finishing fourth,” he added. “I enjoy driving all the street circuits, but I particularly like Toronto. I think the team has a very good setup for these kinds of tracks and my driving style is well suited for the street circuits.”
Toronto has been good to Andretti, too. Although he’s been on pole only once (in 1991), he’s won here five times -- 1989, ’91, ’92, ’94 and ‘95 -- and has finished worse than fifth only three times in his 13 starts here.
Andretti's recent series record shows five top-six finishes
... keep reading on reddit ➡I'm visiting Rome in early February with a couple of friends and we'd love to explore some hidden, off-the-beaten track, alternative space in the city. I already did a huuuuge research on the topic (did not have much luck) but the best hints always come from locals you know.
My boyfriend and I are going to the one of a kind show which is at Exhibition Place. I want to take us to a nice little christmassy drink nearby beforehand.
Anyone have any recommendations?
https://preview.redd.it/c2qzvo1awlu71.png?width=718&format=png&auto=webp&s=8e9355bcbedd3188a34da36784649893b90e22de
