“I think we all kind of feel the same amount of pressure,” said Foyt, who debuted in the ‘500’ on his 19th birthday in 2003, driving for his grandfather’s team. “We all have a lot to live up to. I think it’s a little bit less pressure now that I’m driving for another team. Now he (A.J. Foyt) can just be my grandfather instead of my (team) owner now, too. That makes it a lot easier.”
Foyt’s first ‘500’ victory will be difficult to come by Sunday. He will start 31st in the No. 2 Vision Racing entry.
Andretti hopes to build upon his rookie performance at Indianapolis in 2006. As a 19-year-old, Andretti led Laps 198, 199 and most of Lap 200 before Sam Hornish Jr. passed him on the frontstretch to steal the checkered flag. Andretti went on to claim his first career victory later that season at Infineon Raceway.
“There’s a lot of history here with the family,” Andretti said. “That’s special as well. But my approach to the race, I don’t want to win it because they won it or because of their history here. I want to win it for myself. And I think we have a great chance.”
Andretti will start seventh, his best starting position in three starts at Indianapolis.
Rahal, the youngest of the three, is making his first Indianapolis 500 start, but the teenager already has left his mark on history.
Earlier this season, Rahal took the checkered flag on the streets of St. Petersburg, taking the title of youngest driver to win a major open-wheel race from Andretti, and becoming only the fourth IndyCar Series driver to win in his first start.
Rahal qualified 13th for Sunday’s race, second-highest of 11 rookies and fastest of nine drivers with teams new to the IndyCar Series.
“It’s pretty nice to be back,” Rahal said. “It’s something that I didn’t expect to happen so soon. The question was always asked when I would be at Indy. I really didn’t have any clue. Obviously, I’m glad to be here.”
For the fans who rooted for Andrettis, Foyts and Rahals in the Indianapolis 500 since 1958, they can latch on to a new generation.
“To have names back, and, of course, the old rivalries - I don’t know if Marco and I look at it the same way as our dads did - but, to have us and obviously A.J., I think it certainly will bring crowds back to a race whether it be Indy or any race week that maybe hadn’t been there in the past.”
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