The names of Walkinshaw Andretti United’s long-travelling crew members will be carried on all Andretti Autosport cars in this weekend’s IndyCar round at Indianapolis.
As a Melbourne-based operation, WAU was forced to flee Victoria before its northern border closed on July 6 and has remained on the road ever since.
It is currently domiciled in Adelaide at a City Motor Group facility before making the journey directly to Central West New South Wales for the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 which commences just under a fortnight from now.
The Brickyard double-header is IndyCar’s last event before the Great Race, which will close out this year’s Virgin Australia Supercars Championship and therefore represents the end of the marathon haul for Victorian squads.
Andretti Autosport’s tribute carries the WAU logo and hashtag, plus a ribbon reading ‘thank you’ and the names of the 19 crew members who have been away from base to held keep the Supercars season alive.
“Fantastic recognition and respect for the sacrifices of our guys – from our partners Andretti Autosport in IndyCar,” WAU Team Principal Bruce Stewart told Speedcafe.com.
“Amazing to feel their support all the way from the US. It means a lot to our team on the road, who I believe have pushed harder than most to keep the show alive.
“It’ll be a great shot in the arm, in the lead up to the Great Race.”
Melbourne-based teams were effectively forced to rush out of Victoria in early-July, without knowledge of when they might return.
While there was some turnover midway through the long stint away from home, individuals will have been on the road for around eight to 15 weeks by the time the Great Race is done.
Chaz Mostert will be partnered by Warren Luff in WAU’s #25 ZB Commodore and Bryce Fullwood by Kurt Kostecki in the sister #2 entry when the Bathurst 1000 takes place from October 15-18.
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