Michael may do one more after Indy!
Friday, May 26, 2006
By Dave Lewandowski
indycar.com
Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage wants Michael Andretti and Al Unser Jr. to continue their driving careers at least one more race – at his place.
Gossage announced that he is offering a $100,000 sponsorship fee if Andretti and Unser Jr. would compete in the Bombardier Learjet 500k on June 10. Both must participate to activate the sponsorship, with their teams splitting the sponsorship.
The IndyCar Series has raced at Texas Motor Speedway, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, since 1997.
“You have two legendary racers who clearly have the desire. They have the skill, obviously. We wanted to include it as part of the celebration of our 10th season. I hope they take us up on the offer.
“Running in the Indy 500 this weekend proves the competitive juices still flow in both of them, so we thought providing the necessary sponsorship support would give them sufficient reason to compete in Texas.”
The drivers have not competed against each other at the 1.5-mile, high-banked oval in Fort Worth. Unser has made eight career starts at Texas Motor Speedway, including a highlight of his illustrious career in 2003. Unser outdueled Tony Kanaan to win 0.081 of a second. Andretti, in the race car for the first time since 2003, has not competed at the speedway.
“I’d love for Michael to finally have a chance to run at Texas Motor Speedway, especially side by side with his son Marco, and show our fans up close why he is considered one of the best of all time,” Gossage said. “For Al Jr., it would be a special moment to return to the site of his last visit to Victory Lane.”
The drivers received the invitation before Miller Lite Carb Day practice and didn’t have an immediate response.
AI
