Full Throttle

The “Curse” that supposedly resides within the confines of Indianapolis Motor Speedway is legendary and only equaled in America sports lore by the mythical whammy that hangs over Wrigley Field, home of the woebegone Cubs, and Fenway Park’s Red Sox.

But neither of those two venues can make the claim they’ve haunted an entire family as IMS has done for decades. The Andretti Curse is a legend wrapped in a legend. Various generations of Andretti’s have made 58 Indy 500 starts with patriarch Marios’ 1969 effort the only one in the win column.

Recent events in the world of NASCAR have made me wonder if some of Indy’s Bad Mojo has rubbed off on the Taxi Cab crowd as we lead up to the fourteenth running of the 400 at IMS.

Is the sacking of Sterling Marlin and Front Row Joe from Ginn Racing part of Indy’s Bad Luck Mystique?

Probably not, but it makes you think. As does Michael Waltrip having a sudden epiphany and sitting himself down in favor of Terry Labonte just prior to the second or third most important and visible event on the calender.

From NASCAR’s first event in 1994 there were indications the 43 starters (of nearly 80 entrants, a modern day record) weren’t operating with a full compliment of luck. Jeff Gordon won that first and historic event, but what went on behind the #24 became the first indication of a NASCAR Indy Curse.

And fittingly enough it was another racing family, the Bodines, that were caught up in the maelstrom.

All three Bodine brothers were in the lineup driving Fords that Saturday in August.

Geoff, who had scored his first win as an owner-driver at Pocono two weeks earlier, qualified fourth. Brett, who was struggling in his fifth and final season with Kenny Bernstein’s Quaker State Ford, qualified seventh. The youngest of the three Todd started 25th.

All three had led at least a lap but the Voodoo that Indy does so well made an appearance just after the halfway mark in the race.

Brett assumed the lead under the caution by taking only two tires while the rest of the contenders made four-tire stops.

Brother Geoff (or is it Geoffery?) came out second and passed Brett in Turn 3 on the first green-flag lap. Brett tried to return the favor in Turn 4, and contact was made. Geoff spun and was hit by Dale Jarrett, putting both out of the race as Brett continued on eventually chasing race winner Gordon across the line and finishing second.

But the damage was done, words of acrimony were exchanged between Brett and Geoff after the race, and the brothers were something much less than brotherly for several years thereafter.

Robby Gordon is another example of The Curse, from both sides. He’s led 4 of the 10 Indy 500’s entered with nothing but broken open wheelers to show for it. The 2004 Brickyard 400 is the “finest” example of his NASCAR hard luck at IMS.

He qualified 20th but by the crossed flags he rocketed into third behind leaders Jeff Gordon and second-place Matt Kenseth.

His run was ended first by a flat left front tire on Lap 125. That was quickly followed by a brake fire as he tried to keep the his Chevy on the lead lap before pitting. With a 65-second stop for a new tire and a bit of fire extinguishing Gordon returned to the race in 30th place.

Less than 20 laps later he suffered through a minute and a half stop for yet another brake problem that left Robby with no left front brakes and only 25 percent of normal braking power. He eventually was able to recover to finish 22nd.

Maybe an Indy curse is a bunch of hooey, but I doubt if the Andretti family would agree.

There is mounting evidence within NASCAR Nation there is a certain hypnotic nature to the place that at times leads to very strange results. The proof of a NASCAR Curse may come this year.

Jeff Gordon has survived everything to this point and still leads by a wide margin. If there is a Curse to be had now’s the time for it to strike and prevent Gordon from capturing his fifth Indy win.

On the other hand, I’m betting on The Curse, a two race win streak and a Tony Stewart win in the 400.

(DISCLAIMER: Your results and winnings may vary.)