Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 2, 1993 TAG: 9310020065
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MONTEREY, CALIF. LENGTH: Medium
"I'm grateful to Carl [Haas] and Paul [Newman] for giving me a job for another year," Andretti, 53, said during a news conference at Laguna Seca Raceway, where the 1993 season will end Sunday.
"I think it's only fitting to end my career with them, and that's what I plan to do at the end of 1994. I've given that a lot of thought and I think there is still a little left to squeeze out of me.
"There is some unfinished business to be concerned about."
Andretti, the 1978 Formula One champion and a four-time Indy-car champ, was referring to the Indianapolis 500, a race he won in 1969 and has tried - without success - to win again.
Andretti has scored 18 of the 52 Indy-car victories in his career - second to A.J. Foyt's 67 - with Newman-Haas. His last victory was in April in Phoenix, ending a five-year drought.
"That didn't hurt," Andretti said when asked if the victory helped in his decision to stay on for another season. "You've got to feel good about these things."
Andretti, who also won the 1967 Daytona 500 and has three victories in the 12 Hours of Sebring, is the only driver to be named Driver of the Year in three decades. He also recently was voted Driver of the Quarter Century, covering the period 1967-1991.
He set an all-time qualifying record this season at Michigan with a lap of 234.275 mph.
Haas and Newman hired Andretti as their driver when they combined to form their team in 1983. He has been part of the team since, teaming with his elder son, Michael, for three seasons and this season with Nigel Mansell of England, who gave Newman-Haas its third series title.
The elder Andretti last won the title in 1984, and Michael won it in 1991.
"Mario has been a foundation for us since Paul and I started the team in 1983," Haas said. "His contribution to our success has been extremely important, and he'll continue to do that this year."
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB