Andretti has second thoughts after crash

Andretti, who retired from frontline single-seater action in 1995, came back to the Brickyard to help his son Michael whose team has been hit by injuries to its two star drivers Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti. Mario was planning to test and then qualify the car for Kanaan, who would then take over the seat for the race.

Andretti, 63, was launched into the air while on a fast run, after hitting debris left by Kenny Brack. Andretti's car performed a series of flips and somersaults at a speed of over 200mph, momentarily clipping the top of the specatator fencing before landing right-side up back on the track. The 1978 World Champion came away from the shunt with just a cut chin and a bruised heel.

I've given it some thought,'' he said after returning to his home in Nazareth. "If I had an ongoing career, I would have no problem getting back in the car. All of a sudden, I have to start using at least an ounce of wisdom.

"I'm not trying to rekindle my career, and what happened on Wednesday maybe was a signal that I should pay attention to. I had an incredibly satisfying day yesterday, and I'm very grateful to Michael and the Green team for giving me that opportunity."