INDY 500: John Andretti Returns

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AUTO-RACING - INDY 500: John Andretti Returns - SPEEDtv.com

Written by: IndyCar Communications
05/10/2008 - 07:01 PM
Indianapolis, Ind.

John Andretti will attempt to qualify for his ninth Indianapolis 500 in the No. 24 Roth Racing car, possibly as early as Sunday.

Andretti, who started 24th and finished 30th last year in a Panther Racing-prepared car in his first Indy 500 since 1994, will replace Jay Howard in the seat for the race. Howard, the 2006 Firestone Indy Lights champion, passed the Rookie Orientation Program earlier in the week and practiced May 6 and 9. He has finishes of 22nd, 14th, 13th and 13th in IndyCar Series races this season.

"As a result of the days lost due to weather, and losing our chief engineer (David Cripps) days before the start of this month, we found ourselves behind the 8-ball," team president Margaret Roth said. "John brings with him a wealth of experience, which can help us build two competitive cars for the 500. Jay will be back at Milwaukee. He has our full support. He's a great driver."

Andretti, cousin of Andretti Green Racing co-owner Michael Andretti, has a best start/finish at Indianapolis of seventh and fifth in 1991 with Hall/VDS Racing. He debuted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1988 in a Mike Curb Motorsports car, finishing 21st.

"I want to feel it out a little bit, and see what we can do," Andretti said on the way to pit lane for the tail end of practice preceding qualifications for the first 11 spots in the 33-car field. He topped 220 mph on three laps.

Team owner-driver Marty Roth will attempt to qualify for his fourth 500-Mile Race in the No. 25 car. He has a high finish of 24th in 2004.

Roth Racing expanded to a two-car full-season team for 2008. Roth has a high finish of 17th this season at Twin Ring Motegi.