Andretti: I won't get distracted

The Newman-Haas driver has been told the due date for his baby's birth is tomorrow, however, he is unable to miss the race to be with his wife, and hopes to get back in time.

'Leslie is due to have our baby on Sunday but it could be any day now,' said Andretti.

'She promised me she would wait until I get home late Sunday night. I hope she keeps her promise.'

Andretti will leave the Californian circuit immediately after the race, to make the six-hour journey back to Pennsylvania by private jet.

Despite such an obvious distraction, Andretti claims the impending birth of his child will not take his mind off the race.

'I have obligations to Kmart, Texaco and the team. They are all relying on me.

'I never let things distract me on the racetrack. You can't afford to, for yourself or the other drivers you are racing against.

'The worst potential distraction I have had was in 1992 at Indy [Indianapolis] when both my brother and father crashed and my brother was [hurt] really bad.'