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Michael Andretti is taking a new role as strategist for Danica Patrick’s team.

This new role comes after the spot was left vacant by Kyle Moyer who will now call races for for Marco Andretti.

I think this new role will be able to teach Danica Patrick new things and techniques rather than take things away from her which could lead to trouble for the team. With more than 40 victories I believe Andretti has good ideas on how to come up with new schemes and ideas to attack Patrick’s weaknesses such as racing on road/street courses which she has failed to do well on pretty much her whole IRL career. Adding some more wins would help also.

“As a strategist, you just have to try to anticipate what is going to happen and be a little bit smarter than everybody you’re racing against,” Andretti said.  “This will be a new challenge for sure, but I’m looking forward to working more closely with Danica.” (Indycar.com)

I believe this will be a good move for the AGR team, but we know last year there was some turmoil within the team due mostly, at least to my knowledge, for some of Patricks actions during races. Andretti’s new position will enable him to work closer like he said but also keep her more level-headed as well and even more focused.

Where is Marco Andretti?  Lately he has not been mentioned during the race broadcast.  One would think with George Lucas jumping on board at Sonoma and Andretti Green Racing placing the Star Wars Clone Wars scheme on the #26 Dallara that their would have been more television coverage of the car.  Ever since all the altercations that happened amongst the Andretti Green team mates over the past few races.  It would seem that the AGR media spark has come down a notch.  Granted, all the media attention lately has been focused on Helio Castroneves and Scott Dixon and their recent battle for the 2008 IndyCar Series championship.  Tony Kanaan brought AGR back in the media spotlight momentarily when it was announced that he signed a five year contract extension with them.  Hideki Mutoh also clinched the Rookie of the Year I have no doubts that this championship team can regroup during the off season and come out swinging at the season opener April 5, 2009 on the streets of St. Petersburg.