This week, Toronto will be abuzz in preparation for the Molson Indy. Always a major summer attraction, large crowds are expected to descend onto the Molson Indy racing grounds this weekend to watch their favourite open-wheel racers take to Toronto’s 1.7 mile street track. For CART Toyota Atlantic drivers, it will be their second stop in Canada this season, and for Gormley, Ontario’s Jonathan Macri, the 2000 Formula Ford Champion, nothing could be better than racing on his hometown track.
“I am really looking forward to Toronto,” Jonathan said. “Race fans here are great and I know the track well.”
Piloting the NTN Bearings Swift, 19 year-old Jonathan Macri currently sits in second place in the Rookie of the Year standings, only 4 points behind rookie leader Joey Hand, and tied for 7th in the Championship points race. At this juncture in the season, with Toronto representing the midpoint of this 12-race series, Jonathan has ample opportunity to improve his Championship standing while trying to capture Rookie of the Year Award.
“I’m in good spirits,” Jonathan said. We didn’t get the results we were looking for in Cleveland, but I came away with some good experience racing in the rain. I’m hoping that the car is on target for Toronto,” he said.
As for Jonathan’s race expectations? “A podium finish,” he said. “We nearly had it in Montreal. I’m hoping that things work out in our favour at the Molson Indy. With a little luck, I’ll be there.”
Jonathan has demonstrated a competitive racing spirit and has displayed mature driving skills, steadily progressing since his first race at Long Beach. But here in Toronto, it is time for Jonathan to make his own break - right into the ranks of the top Atlantic drivers. A podium finish would be fitting and, without a doubt, richly deserved by this hometown favourite.
For race fans unable to attend the Molson Indy, the race will be televised live on Sportsnet at 3:00pm Saturday July 14, 2001.
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