Marco Andretti Inks ARCA & Truck Deal With CRT

Marco Andretti will run both ARCA and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races for Cook Racing Technologies this season, starting next month at Daytona Int'l Speedway. (Meg Oliphant/Getty Images for NASCAR photo)

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Marco Andretti’s transition from open wheel racing to the stock car ranks will hit high gear next month, as the third-generation racer kicks off a busy schedule with Cook Racing Technologies.

Andretti, the son of Michael Andretti and grandson of Formula One and Indy car champion Mario Andretti, will pilot Cook Racing Technologies entries in both the ARCA Menards Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

The Nazareth, Pa., native will wheel the No. 17 Chevrolet in 14 ARCA Menards Series events, starting with the season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) Int’l Speedway on Feb. 17.

He’ll also compete in seven Truck Series races, with the first of those coming March 23 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Of note, CRT has aligned with Houston-based Roper Racing to field the No. 04 entry for Andretti’s Truck Series starts.

Andretti is most known for his and his family’s exploits in American open-wheel racing, where his grandfather won four Indy car championships and the 1969 Indianapolis 500, while his father earned the 1991 CART title and 42 Indy car victories.

Marco followed in their footsteps early in his racing career, earning two wins, six poles, and 20 podium finishes in 251 NTT IndyCar Series starts, before branching out into full-bodied cars with IMSA sports car and Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) appearances.

Now 36, Marco competed in all three seasons of the SRX Series, earning that tour’s title in 2022.

He made his NASCAR national debut in the Xfinity Series in 2022 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL and raced in three Truck Series events last year, with a best result of 18th at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.

Andretti will have team co-owner and industry veteran Bruce Cook calling the shots as his crew chief and mentor throughout the season.

“I’m really happy with the program we’ve put in place for my racing schedule this year,” said Marco Andretti. “This plan is a good mixture of races with the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series that provides maximum track time, which is what I’m after. It will answer a lot of my unknowns in stock cars. I also want to do it the right way, and not go right to the top of the sport on my IndyCar and SRX merit, as I respect the amount of talent in all of the various stock car series.

“I’m looking forward to having a lot of fun with Bruce and the team,” he added. “I’m confident that we can be pretty competitive right out of the gate.”

Cook and partner Steve McGowan co-own Cook Racing Technologies, which won last year’s ARCA Menards Series West owner’s championship and will also field a team car to Andretti in multiple ARCA races this year, split between Tanner Reif and NASCAR Xfinity Series veteran Brandon Jones.

“I am looking forward to working with Marco and helping him to develop and grow as a driver in stock cars," noted Cook. “Marco has a proven track record across multiple racing platforms. I think with some more seat time and guidance in the stock car world, he'll be able to compete up front on a regular basis.”

Sun West Construction will return alongside MMI Racing as major team partners for Cook Racing Technologies this season.

The familiar orange and black colors will adorn Andretti’s ARCA and Truck Series entries this year, with additional partners to be announced at a later date.