Andretti: Cheever wrecked me

Whatever the cause of the wreck was, the feud between youngest and oldest is on. Nineteen-year-old Marco Andretti and 48-year-old Cheever collided while heading into Turn 9 on the 38th lap Sunday at Watkins Glen.

They emerged with one accusing the other of crashing on purpose, while the other blamed cold tires.

"It was blatant, absolutely blatant," Marco Andretti said. "It was absolutely on purpose. If he didn't know I was there, then that's pretty scary."

Andretti tried to pass Cheever on the right heading into the left-hander. As the No. 26 Andretti Green Racing Honda/Dallara came alongside the No. 51 Cheever Racing Honda/Dallara, the two cars collided.

Andretti's car bounded into the fence, and Cheever's car was too badly damaged to continue.

"I had just gone out on the racetrack on a new set of tires and the track is very slippery," Cheever said.

"I was doing everything I could to keep the car straight. I never had any problem with anybody getting by. It was just bad circumstances."

Michael Andretti, Marco's dad and team co-owner, was even more blunt, citing an incident in a practice session before an IRL street race at St. Petersburg, Fla., in April in which Michael Andretti chastised himself for not "warning" his son about Cheever.

"It was so blatant," Michael said. "He does it all the time. He doesn't belong on the racetrack. The guy's a complete idiot."

When asked after the crash if he'd try to talk to Cheever after the race, Marco Andretti said, "When we do talk, there won't be much talking. There won't be any discussion; I can tell you that much."