Michael Andretti to make 500 return

The 43 year-old, who has famously never won the sport's showpiece race, will compete for his own Andretti Green Racing team in a fifth car in order to assist his son Marco, who has been signed to drive for the team in the 2006 IRL IndyCar season.

Michael has led more laps than any other driver in the Indy 500 - 426 - but has yet to lead on the 200th and therefore take victory. He quit the sport after the 2003 Indy 500 to concentrate on team management but says the motivation is still there and he still has a chance of winning on his return.

"I'm really looking forward to returning to Indy as one of the drivers on this team and I'm excited about the chance I'll have to run with Marco," Michael said.

"As a driver, he has developed much quicker than I think anybody expected and that is what really made this possible. I think I'll have as good a shot as I've ever had to win the Indianapolis 500 and I think I can also be a big help to Marco as he gets ready to make his first '500' start."

Marco will be the fifth Andretti to race in the event. In addition to Michael and Mario, both Jeff (Michael's brother) and John (Michael's cousin) have competed in the race.