Tony Raines expects to fill John Andretti’s seat during Indy 500 conflicts
RICHMOND, Va. – Tony Raines said Saturday that he would be surprised if he is not in the No. 34 NASCAR Sprint Cup car for Front Row Motorsports next week at Darlington Raceway while John Andretti attempts to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.
Team owner Bob Jenkins has said that Raines would likely fill that seat for the events at Darlington and Lowe’s Motor Speedway while Andretti is in Indianapolis.
Raines competes for the team in the Nationwide Series and has run in select Cup races for the team this year.
“I didn’t run Darlington last year, so it will all be new to me with the new [pavement] and having some track time in the Nationwide car before the Cup stuff should help,” Raines said Saturday at Richmond International Raceway. “I think with the next three weeks with John being at Indy, that will allow some openings there and hopefully I will get most of it, if not all of it.”
The No. 34 car is locked into the race at Darlington as it is 35th in the car owner standings, 44 points ahead of the No. 82 Red Bull Racing team and driver Scott Speed.
