Andrettis aiming to end Indy 'curse'

The reason, of course, is Marco Andretti, the 19-year-old son of Michael Andretti and grandson of Mario Andretti, who will begin rookie orientation Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Michael has come out of retirement to help mentor his son through his first Indy 500, and the two are likely to become just the fourth father-son duo to race together at Indy.

In Michael's first 500, in 1984, he started on the second row with Mario. He finished fifth and named the race's co-rookie of the year.

"It was a big deal," Michael said. "To be that close to Dad at Indianapolis, it was a big moment for me.

"To be honest with you, my first year there was pretty much a dream. Everything just seemed to really go my way. It was just so cool to see Dad next to me when we were going down for the green flag. Those are moments that stick with you your whole life."

The so-called curse, though, is what history currently remembers of the Andrettis at Indianapolis. Mario Andretti won at Indianapolis just once in 29 tries. Michael hasn't won in 14 tries. Brother Jeff and cousin John went a combined 0-for-10.

"I hope we put the curse away and it never comes back," Michael Andretti said. "It just wasn't meant to be."

Meanwhile, Marco, who won an IRL Infiniti Pro Series race on the IMS road course last summer, has further plans to put to rest the notion that there's something to the curse. With an assist, of course, from his father.

"He can answer all of the questions I have, but he can't drive the car for me," Marco said. "It's going to be great having him there, not only just to show me what to do, but to actually run with me."

Sunday's five-hour session, which begins at noon EDT, tests Indy rookies -- Andretti, P.J. Chesson and Arie Luyendyk Jr -- in four stages of consistent speeds.

After three years since his last Indianapolis 500, Michael Andretti has also chosen to take part in Sunday's session to reacquaint himself.

Another session will be held Monday before practice begins for the entire field Tuesday. After four days of practice, drivers will complete pole qualifying Saturday for the May 28 race.