Nearly a year into a reshaped engineering dynamic, Santino Ferrucci is showing clear signs of growth and results within the No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet program.

Since the middle of the 2025 season, Ferrucci has been paired with race engineer Adam Kolesar, a move that has quietly evolved into one of the team’s most effective combinations. What began as an internal promotion has turned into a partnership that continues to build momentum, with both driver and engineer finding a rhythm that’s translating into on-track performance.

The impact has been especially visible in qualifying. Ferrucci has emphasized a more disciplined, consistent approach to the car, focusing on stability rather than frequent setup changes. That shift has allowed him to adapt through driving rather than constant adjustments, improving overall consistency across race weekends.

That progress is paying off. Recent performances have placed Ferrucci and the No. 14 car firmly on an upward trajectory, including back-to-back appearances in the Firestone Fast 12 and a strong seventh-place qualifying effort at Barber Motorsports Park.

Long labeled by some as an oval specialist, Ferrucci continues to challenge that narrative. His results across road and street courses this season are reinforcing his versatility and reminding the paddock of his roots as a lifelong road racer.

Just as importantly, the focus for 2026 has shifted toward starting further up the grid, reducing the need to fight through the field on race day. It’s a subtle but critical evolution in approach, and one that reflects both growing confidence and a more refined baseline package between driver and engineer.

With the Ferrucci-Kolesar partnership continuing to strengthen, the foundation is in place for even greater gains as the season unfolds.

Read the full article from RACER.