News Release - June 05, 2001
CART-Toyota Atlantic race teams, drivers and aficionados alike are beginning to take heed of one of the series’ newest entrants, 19 year-old Jonathan Macri. Having just completed the third race for the 2001 schedule, Gormley Ontario’s racing ace has pulled into the points lead for Rookie of the Year and has jumped two positions to fourth place in the Championship hunt.
But, his current standing is not the reason for the attention Jonathan has been receiving. In fact, the numbers do not do justice to his talent. Numbers rarely do tell us the real story, especially when our objective is to try to determine whether this open-wheel racer carries in him those qualities that make a real champion. How do we assess this? Well, maybe the same way we would a character in a story book; by what he says, thinks and does. At Milwaukee, the last Atlantic race, one great move, perhaps, demonstrated his aggressive, yet intelligent, racing style and marked Macri as a champion-in-progress. Jonathan described it after the race:
“I was running behind T.J. Bell and Rocky Moran who were racing side by side, with Bell on the inside,” Jonathan said. “I thought to myself, I can make a move on the inside, and hopefully get some good tow off them. In any case, I’m either going to get by or look like an idiot trying.”
Jonathan attempted the move, and after running three-wide, vaulted past both. “It worked.” Jonathan said. “I got through.”
So, let’s see, Jonathan saw an opportunity, thought through a strategy, and aware of the difficulty-level of the pass he was contemplating, then summoned the courage and racing savvy to make his move, finally accomplishing his intended action. How can you tell a great racing prospect? By what he says, thinks and does, of course. And it seems this budding champion is becoming a more central character in the Atlantic Series. Macri is garnering attention, and is doing so deservedly.
That he has yet to win a race or post a podium finish is academic. It will happen. That Jonathan Macri has the attributes that mark a champion is certain. And, at only 19 years of age, time is on his side. Though, at the rate of speed he is moving, he will be there quick, maybe even as early as this weekend at Le Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. Why not? As race tracks go, Montreal is home to Macri, and he did win last year’s Formula Ford 1600 race at Le Circuit, one of several, by the way, that Jonathan won last year on his way to becoming the 2000 Canadian Formula Ford 1600 Champion. Champion, you say? Well, you see, Jonathan does have it in him.
|
 |