Michael Andretti said it wasnt much of a decision to return as a driver.
After everything that happened last year, I had a lot of fun doing it, he said. Five cars affected the team in a positive way. I think were coming up with a better team than last year, and well be even more competitive.
I think it (the team) has changed a little because for some its still all new. Danicas been accepted. I see Marco getting texts from her and to her from him. Theyre all talking, and thats the big thing. Danica being new, its a little harder.
Said co-owner Kim Green: Weve established an additional team on the outside of Indianapolis with the American Le Mans Series, and they have Indy car experience. My brother Barry will run Michaels pit this year.
With five drivers, theres more information, so I think well be even better on Race Day. Marco has matured so much in the last 12 months. Itd take most guys to reach where he is in three years. Danica is now in a completely different situation. Shes getting to know the engineering group. Its really all about teamwork.
Michael said the well-known team pranks have died down.
Its really calmed down a little bit, he said. Youll notice one driver (Bryan Herta) is running another series (AGRs ALMS team), and thats a big part of it.
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Manning gets the call: Darren Manning said hes happy to be with A. J. Foyts team. He said he was with his mates in England when the call came from team manager Larry Foyt to ask about a drive.
With A. J., its all about who can communicate with him, Manning said, smiling. Even though we both speak English well, I still say I speak English properly.
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Fisher ready for return: Sarah Fisher is returning to the Speedway with the Dreyer & Reinbold team, with 2004 Indy winner Buddy Rice as a teammate.
When I started in Indy cars at 19, I was just out of high school, Fisher said. As a high school kid, I never got to flip burgers. I came to run the Indianapolis 500. Its called growing up, and Im really enthusiastic about getting a second chance at it.
Ill have a bit more knowledge of what to expect and Ill have a teammate whos won it, and we work very well together.
Everybody forgets how incredible it is to do this for a living. I had a real job last year and it was not fun. Im just a country girl who gets to race Indy cars.
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Sinking in for Hornish: Winning the 2006 Indianapolis 500 will start to sink in soon for Sam Hornish Jr.
I dont know what its like coming back to Indy after winning, Hornish said. Therere probably a lot more questions. The last 12 months have been a whirlwind for me. Sometimes I wake up and cant believe its even true. I dont know if its really set in yet. The ring came from the Speedway and the Baby Borg. I think the first laps of veterans practice this year is when itll really set in.
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Castroneves tries Foyts winner: Two-time 500 winner Helio Castroneves sat down in the beautiful front-engine Sheraton-Thompson Special that A. J. Foyt drove to victory in 1964, on display in the main media tour room for pictures.
I have to say its an incredible machine, Castroneves said, but Im glad I was born later than that.
Would he like to drive it?
Maybe a ceremonial lap, but thats it, he said.
After winning April 1 at St. Petersburg, Castroneves did his unique fence climb but didnt go up too far.
I remembered last year (when he also won at St. Pete), it was pretty soft, Castroneves said, laughing, so I took it easy. Its nice to win but I prefer the fence here at Indianapolis.
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Mears has no regrets: Four-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears was asked if he had any second thoughts about what some considered an early retirement.
Id be lying to say I didnt miss it (to start), he said. But then, if I missed it, would I be able to do it at the level it should be done? That answer became greater and greater as time went on, so it wasnt long.
The main part for me was laying down a good lap. That was the fun part, that limit. That was my payback to the team, to pull in to the pits and see the team members smiling and Roger (Penske) smiling.
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