INDY 500: Michael Andretti returning to Indy 500 with Team Green

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

March 28, 2001

Panther Racing to assist with car preparation

INDIANAPOLIS - Michael Andretti will return to the Indianapolis 500 this year in a Team Green, Inc. entry, his first race at the Brickyard since 1995.

Team Green filed an entry March 27 for Andretti, who will attempt to make his 12th Indianapolis 500 start this year. Andretti joined Team Green this year.

Andretti, from Nazareth, Pa., will drive the #39 Motorola/Archipelago Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone, with an identical backup car entered. Simon Morley is the chief mechanic, with John Barnes as team manager.

"I'm very happy to be here," Andretti said. "I'm very excited. It's been a long time. I see a lot of familiar faces. First, I've got to thank (team owner) Barry (Green). When we signed the contract, one of the things that I really wanted was to drive at Indianapolis, and he said he would do all that he could. And he did."

Barnes also is the co-owner and team manager of Panther Racing, which fields the #4 Pennzoil Panther Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone in the entire Indy Racing Northern Light Series for points leader Sam Hornish Jr.

"By the time I had all of the elements of this program in place, it was late," Green said. "So I had to lean on my good friend John Barnes and Panther Racing to help make this happen. The combination of my guys and Panther Racing will prepare this car at Panther's shop."

Said Andretti: "We tested the car the last two days at Homestead, and it went really well. The two teams joining forces will work really well. I'm really tickled to death to be back. I think we have a really good shot at doing well here, maybe my best shot ever."

The 85th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for May 27. Entries must be postmarked by April 11. All drivers will compete for one of the 33 starting spots in the world's most prestigious auto race.

Andretti has six top-10 finishes in 11 Indianapolis starts, with a best of second in 1991. He has led in five races for a total of 382 laps, the highest total of any non-winner in the history of the race.

Text provided by Paul Kelly

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