Racers maintain strong legacies

Andretti, Foyt and Unser -- three surnames that will be burned forever into the memories of Indianapolis 500 fans all over the world -- will be in the starting lineup of the 87th running of the Indy 500 Sunday. \nMichael Andretti, who is retiring after this season, will be starting from the 13th position. In total, Andretti has driven in 13 races, finished in the top-five four times and led the field in 398 total laps, but never the final one. Such disappointment has been an enigma of sorts for his family, as four Andretti's have seen the green flag, but only Michael's father Mario officially saw the checkered one in 1969. Technically, Mario had another win in 1981 for four months before the decision was overturned and the title was given to Bobby Unser, who allegedly illegally passed other drivers during a yellow flag. There has been a friendly rivalry throughout the racing history of these two storied racing families.\n"I think we've been friendly rivals," Mario Andretti said. "I think we both respect each other and always loved racing against each other."\nAl Unser Jr., one of six drivers in the family to compete in the race, is the son of the second four-time Indy 500 winner, Al Unser, and nephew of three-time winner Bobby Unser. In this year's race, Unser Jr. will attempt to add a third Borg-Warner trophy to his own collection. The Unsers as a family have made a combined 70 starts and have amassed nine race wins. \nUnser Jr., who is returning to prominence after bouts of alcoholism and a brush with the law, will be starting in the 17th position. Unser Jr. won in the 1992 and 1994 races as a part of the Penske racing juggernaut that has captured 12 total victories. \nWhile Unser Jr. is no longer a part of the Penske organization, he said he is confident that he will be ready for this year's race.\n"All in all, it's been a good month for the Corteco team," Unser Jr. said. "My guys on the Corteco team just do a great job. We'll be ready come race day." \nWhile Andretti and Unser Jr. are veterans, A.J. Foyt IV is a rookie. Foyt IV, grandson of the first four-time Indy 500 winner, A.J. Foyt Jr., barely made the cut on the first day of qualifying after a spin nearly sent the 18-year-old rookie into the wall. Foyt IV will be starting from the 23rd position. Interestingly, Unser Jr. is the oldest driver on the field at a ripe 41 years old while Foyt IV is the youngest, as he will turn 19 Sunday. \nWhile Foyt IV has crashed three times in preparation for this race, his grandfather said it wasn't Foyt IV's fault.\n"When it first happened and I saw he was OK, I got on him pretty hard," Foyt Jr. said after Foyt IV crashed during Friday's practice. "Then when I came back to the garage and saw the setup sheet, there was no way he couldn't have wrecked. I feel bad for him because the three accidents here this month weren't his fault."\nOf course, legacies are not the only drivers entering the field, as four other former winners will also be vying for the coveted bottle of milk. Kenny Brack, 1999 winner, will be joined by 1996 victor Buddy Lazier, and two-time defending champion Helio Castroneves has the pole and will try to become the only driver to ever "three-peat" the race.\nWhile Castroneves has appeared in only two races, he is actually part of yet another storied legacy. Castroneves is driving for Penske Racing and the infamous Roger Penske. As a team, Penske Racing has captured 12 Indy 500s and 12 total pole positions from five drivers, including Unser Jr. and Bobby Unser. Penske drivers have won from the pole five times, including three of Rick Mears' four Indy 500 wins in 1979, 1988 and 1991; Bobby Unser's 1981 win and Unser Jr.'s 1994 win. Actually, a Penske Racing driver has captured four of the last Indy 500s the team has competed in with Emerson Fittipaldi's win in 1993, Unser Jr.'s in 1994 and both of Castroneves' wins.\nWith so many legacies and past winners in this year's field, many drivers said they believe this is one of the best Indy 500 fields in years.\n"It's going to be extremely hard to win this race, because everyone who is in the race is very equal," Unser said. "The quality of the teams and drivers is the best it's been in years"