Full Throttle

And the rest of the Indy story is…

Tradition is synonymous with the 500, the place oozes the word from the strip of bricks at the finishline to the now misnamed Carb Day festivities.

The name Andretti is part of that tradition as much as any other at the speedway. Unfortunately the name Andretti more often than not epitomizes the phrase hard luck.

Mario has the unique distinction of broadcasters coining the phrase “Mario is slowing down!” While he won the 1969 500 his most infamous 500 “win” only lasted 4 months. Mario took the checkered flag behind winner Bobby Unser. The following day Unser was penalized one lap for passing caution, and Andretti was declared the winner.

Four months later the USAC Board of Appeals overturned the lap penalty and awarded the win to Unser. Hard Luck personified.

Mario’s son Michael competed in his 16th 500 this year with his highest finish 2nd in 1991. He led with twelve laps remaining, but finished second to Rick Mears after battling the multiple Indy 500 winner.

The following year he dominated and was leading with 11 laps left when a fuel pump took a crap. He also dropped out while leading the 500 in 1989, 1995 and 2003. Hard Luck incarnate.

And then there is Marco son of Michael. As a 19 year old rookie he led going under the white flag. 500 feet from crossing under the checkers he was passed by Sam Hornish, Jr.

Yesterday’s 500 was Andretti’s fourth DNF in 5 IRL events in 2007. He led for 13 laps Sunday but faded after the rain delay. On lap 163, he rubbed wheels with 2005 champion Dan Wheldon and wrecked (ass over tea kettle actually landing on all fours in the infield grass). He climbed from his vehicle under his own power, but alas the Andretti curse is still intact.

An Andretti has started Indy 58 times, Mario’s ‘69 drink of milk beside a tearful Andy Granatelli the lone victory.

Hard Luck personified.

IN OTHER NEWS, Leading Diva, Danica Patrick acquitted herself well in her third 500. Running with the leaders until the rain break she fell victim to less-than-stellar pit stops, lapped traffic after the restart and the final downpour cut short her drive back to the front.

Patrick seemed to display a bit more maturity in commenting on the race winning strategy used by the Franchitti team: “The tough thing about running up front is you pit with the lead group. You’re part of the same strategy,” said Patrick, who got as high as second before settling for an eighth-place finish. “When you’re behind, that’s sometimes when you can make a little magic happen. You’re not going with the flow. It paid off for them.”

More later..