Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 11, 1993 TAG: 9304110125
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
ANDRETTI WIN A SPECIAL ONE
The victory by Mario Andretti last Sunday at Phoenix was one for the ages.Not only did it end a winless streak that had lasted nearly five years, but the win made Andretti, at 53 years, 34 days, the oldest ever to win an Indy-car race.
Asked how old he felt after taking the checkered flag for the 52nd time in his 30-year Indy-car career, Andretti said, "How old are you supposed to feel when you feel good? I feel fantastic."
The victory broke the record set by Johnny Rutherford, whose last win came in the 1986 Michigan 500 when he was 48 years, 144 days.
In NASCAR's Winston Cup series, Harry Gant is the oldest winner. He was 52 years, 219 days, when he won at Michigan last August.
Ironically, the oldest known winner of a major, nationally sanctioned event in the United States is Paul Newman, co-owner of Andretti's Newman-Haas Racing team. He was 61 years, 7 months, when he won an SCCA Trans-Am event at Lime Rock, Conn., in August 1986.
The victory by Andretti made him the first to win professional races in five decades, as well as the first to win Indy-car events in four decades.
In the final year of a two-year contract, Andretti has hinted that this might be the end of his long and illustrious racing career. But after Sunday's victory, when asked if the win might affect his thinking about retirement, Andretti said, "Oh yeah! In a big way. You might have to deal with me for maybe a little longer."
\ ROOKIE BATTLE: The Winston Cup rookie race among Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Kenny Wallace is one to watch this season.
All three are graduates of NASCAR's Busch Grand National series - the Triple-A circuit of stock car racing.
But this year's rookie battle in Grand National racing should be almost as interesting - and even more wide open - than the one in Winston Cup. Ten drivers have announced their intention to run for the rookie title.
They are Joe Bessey, Nathan Buttke, Tim Fedewa, Tom Hessert, Jason Keller, Roy Payne, Michael Ritch, Lonnie Rush Jr., Alan Russell and Hermie Sadler.
Buttke, a 17-year-old high school junior from Richard Petty's hometown of Randleman, N.C., is the youngest, while sports car veteran Hessert, 41 and the 1988 IMSA Camel Lights champion, is the oldest and most experienced. Ages and experience levels for the other eight are everywhere in between.
\ PIQUET BACK: Gary Bettenhausen will again drive in this year's Indianapolis 500 for John Menard, and, as speculated, Nelson Piquet will be back as his teammate, along with Geoff Brabham.
Piquet was nearly crippled in a devastating crash while practicing last May for what would have been his first Indy, as well as his first oval race.
The determined Brazilian, a three-time Formula One champion, has made a remarkable recovery from his crushing foot and leg injuries and is ready to give Indy another go.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING