Michael Andretti still hasn’t announced who will replace Dario Franchitti next month at the Indianapolis 500. But he has a backup replacement plan for his other injured driver. He’s bringing in the old man. Mario Andretti, arguably the most versatile racer of all time, will step out of the past and into Tony Kanaan’s 7-Eleven Dallara/Honda for testing Wednesday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Kanaan, who suffered a broken left arm earlier this month in Japan, might not be able to practice May 4 or later qualify for the Indy 500. Dr. Terry Trammell did say Tuesday that Kanaan should be well enough to run the race May 25. The Andrettis already have agreed to Mario qualifying the car for Kanaan if Kanaan is unable to. It is unlikely — even if Mario qualifies and the 28-year-old Brazilian can’t run the race — that Mario would run at Indy. Mario won the 1969 Indy 500 but has not competed at the Speedway since 1994, the year he retired from championship car racing after a 30-year career. But Andretti did compete at LeMans until 2000 and said he doesn’t believe he would be in over his head for the qualifying run. The oldest driver to qualify at Indy is A.J. Foyt, who was 57 in his 1992 finale. “Yeah, dad and I predict that A.J. will be in a car by Thursday,” Michael Andretti said, laughing. “I’m afraid poor Anthony (Foyt IV) will be out of his ride.” It’s a role reversal that amazes John Andretti, a full-time NASCAR driver who is hoping to assume Franchitti’s Indy ride. Robby Gordon also is a strong possibility to replace Franchitti, suffered a broken back in a motorcycle accident and will be out until July. “Nothing my uncle does surprises me, but to think that he’s going to be driving for Michael is pretty neat,” he said. “I’d love to join them because it’s Michael’s last race and he’s got a great team. Heck, I’d even drive for nothing.” Michael Andretti already has announced that the Indy 500 will be his final race before focusing solely on ownership.( ESPN )(4-23-2003)
