Andretti Sr back for Indy.

Perhaps determined that son Marco shouldn't be the one to break the family hoodoo at the Brickyard, Michael Andretti has confirmed that he will be back in action at this year's Indianapolis 500.

Perhaps determined that son Marco shouldn't be the one to break the family hoodoo at the Brickyard, Michael Andretti has confirmed that he will be back in action at this year's Indianapolis 500.

Andretti finished third in 2006 running of the 500, watching from close up as Marco was pushed back into second by just a few feet after a thrilling final lap duel with eventual winner Sam Hornish Jr. Andretti Sr, however, had led laps 194-197, falling just short of a long-sought first victory at Indianapolis, and knowing that he could still turn it on after some time out of the cockpit helped convince the Andretti Green co-owner that he should return again in May 2007.

"Last year, when I returned, at first it was all about getting to race with Marco," Andretti admitted, announcing his intention to run at Indy with a Jim Beam-backed Dallara-Honda, "Then we both had a shot at winning it, and I knew it would be very tough for me to walk away knowing that I'm still very capable of winning that race."

Andretti is one of five AGR drivers expected to race at Indianapolis, joining IndyCar Series regulars Marco, Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanaan and Danica Patrick in the team's line-up.

"I'm obviously very excited to know that I'm going to have another chance to win the 500," Andretti continued, "Jim Beam played a big role in getting me back to Indianapolis last year, and I'm really excited to be working with them again in 2007."

The 2006 result was Andretti's best finish at Indianapolis since taking third place in 2001 but neither he nor Marco was able to end the jinx that has prevented an Andretti from winning the US open-wheel racing's blue riband race since father Mario triumphed in 1969.

No details have been released regarding any possible 'warm-up' events for Andretti ahead of the month of May.

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