Andretti joins family team for Indy

The 47-year-old will drive a fifth car for the team, entered in collaboration with Richard Petty - who played a similar role in Andretti's entry at Indy last year with Dreyer & Reinbold, alongside regulars Tony Kanaan, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti.

"It would be difficult to script a scenario any better than the one we have here," said Andretti. "The relationship I have with Richard, the respect I have for Michael and his team - it's really a perfect situation. I can't wait to get in the car and get to work. May can't get here soon enough."

A Champ Car regular in the late 1980s and early '90s, John Andretti now primarily competes in NASCAR. But he has returned to his single-seater roots for the Indy 500 for the last three years, with the Panther, Roth and Dreyer & Reinbold teams - extending his Roth stint in 2008 to a partial season, during which he took seventh on the grid at Texas and a best result of 11th at Iowa.

Andretti finished in the top 10 at Indianapolis four times during his original Champ Car career, including a fifth place for Hall/VDS in his breakthrough 1991 season. This year's Indy outing will be the first time that he has driven for his cousin's outfit.

Michael Andretti added: "I'm really excited to be able to be a part of this. Richard Petty is one of the true legends in our sport and someone I have always admired. I have a lot of respect for John's talent - I always have. I really think he will fit in very well at Andretti Autosport and can be a factor during the month of May."