Marco relies on AGR teammates' help

Andretti, who has signed for his father's Andretti Green Racing team, completed a private oval rookie test at Texas Motorspeedway this week.

It was Marco's second experience of IRL oval driving, having tested for AGR at Michigan last summer. He also raced in two IRL Inifiti Pro Series rounds on ovals.

Andretti's AGR teammate Bryan Herta was on hand to help the 18 year-old as he acclimatised himself to the 1.5-mile oval, and the young rookie says that such help will be crucial in assisting him climb to the winner's rostrum this season.

"I can't stress enough how my three teammates benefit me in my learning curve and just helping make it that much easier for me," Andretti said. 

"I don't have the oval experience, but if I am able to compare to these guys and beat them, then I will be able to win races.

"It was a pretty interesting first couple of laps. We were moving pretty quickly for me. But after you get settled in the car, everything slows down and you get settled in.

"It is definitely going to be a lot of fun. This is all new to me. I ran Michigan, which is obviously half a mile longer and less banking. So you get a lot more of a feel at this track."

Andretti heads to Pheonix this week, for the series' first official test session of the year, where he will get the opportunity to run in traffic for the first time.

"That is the only thing that I have not really practiced," he added. "Because in testing, we are able to do everything else rather than run with cars.

"But we have our first test next weekend at Phoenix and will see how it goes. I am adjusting quite well."