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Home track disadvantage Andretti legacy at Indy includes few victories
INDIANAPOLIS -- Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart are the easy favorites Sunday in the Brickyard 400. But as much as winning here means for Hoosiers Gordon and Stewart, it would mean even more to John Andretti. He's an Indiana native whose family history at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway dates to Uncle Mario's arrival in 1965. "The Andretti name is well known at this speedway, but I still feel that we should have more recognition there," John said. "I think Mario should have won more than what he did, and [cousin] Michael should have a handful of victories at the track. "I even had a couple of chances at winning the Indy 500. This week it will be important to win the Brickyard 400, but to me it is just important to win at Indy." Andretti, who left open-wheel racing for NASCAR's stock cars seven years ago, has been struggling through most of the season with his Petty Enterprises Dodge. He has, however, given Dodge, returning to NASCAR's top series after a 16-year absence, its best finish -- second place in Bristol, Tenn.
With practice opening Friday on the 2.5-mile Indy oval, it's expected that the new Intrepids will be more competitive, thanks to a rule change by NASCAR allowing the Dodges to add 2 inches to their front spoiler. "We think the cars could be more competitive in that configuration," Andretti said. "But we won't know for sure until we get onto the racetrack." Meanwhile, though, there's no question what winning here would mean to Andretti, whose father still lives in nearby Brownsburg. "Once you win at this track, they can't ever take it away from you," he said. "To win at Indy is to become immortalized, and it would mean a ton for me to win the Brickyard. "They can make changes to that track, but it will always be the Brickyard to me. It has been a part of me ever since I can remember. For me, growing up in Indiana, my whole family has focused on the Indianapolis 500. "The Brickyard 400 wasn't around yet, but the name Andretti was already placed in the history books at the track. I grew up watching my Uncle Mario race, and the Indy 500 played a significant role in my life. I grew up right down the street from the track. I even passed the speedway every day going to and from school." Andretti said the month of May, when the Indy 500 is run, was always an important time for him. "Some kids grew up waiting and waiting the entire year for December 25 to come along, but I was the only one that couldn't wait for Memorial Day weekend to come along. Unless you understand the history and tradition, it's pretty hard to understand how important the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is." Andretti admits the narrow track isn't always the greatest. "For the fans, it's not a great spectator track," he said. "I don't think there is one seat where you can see the entire track. "We go to places like Daytona and Talladega and there are seats where you can see the whole way around the track, but there is not one seat like that at Indy." It doesn't seem to matter, though. A sellout crowd of more than 300,000 shows up each year for the NASCAR race, and the excitement seems to build each year. "The track just has that certain mystique to it," Andretti said. "Over the years, the track has had so many different changes to it, but it is still the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I really feel privileged to be able to race at Indy."
The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
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