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The move will deprive February's Grand Prix of St. Petersburg of a marquee driver.
By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 18, 2002
The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg lost a marquee driver Tuesday when popular American Michael Andretti announced he will switch next season from CART to the rival IRL.
Promotional brochures and posters for the Feb. 23 event, the 2003 CART season opener, featured Andretti.
"Our success or failure won't be defined by whether Michael Andretti is here or not here," said Tom Begley, on-site coordinator for the first-year event. "I'm sure we'll have a full field of cars, I'm sure the racing will be great and that's all the fans will be looking for. I don't think anyone will say, 'Oh, gee whiz, Michael Andretti left, I'm not going to come.' "
Andretti, CART's 1991 champion and a 42-time winner, recently purchased Team Green from owner Barry Green. Andretti, 39, and two partners will begin running Andretti Green Racing on Dec. 1. Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan will be his IRL teammates.
"Things change; life changes," said Andretti, eldest son of racing legend Mario Andretti. "I really enjoyed CART. I enjoyed the format of CART, but we have to go where we feel the momentum is in auto racing."
The seven-year-old Indy Racing League, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George, struggled to establish itself in its early years as most top open-wheel teams stayed with CART. Now, the roles are reversed, the lure of the IRL's Indianapolis 500 too great for many drivers and sponsors to resist.
Last season, CART lost Team Penske to the oval-based IRL because sponsor Marlboro wanted to be at Indy. CART's leading engine manufacturers, Honda and Toyota, also will switch next season. Andretti is affiliated with Honda.
"Honda's history and commitment to racing are second to none, and were a major factor in my decision to come to Team Green in 2001," said Andretti, eighth in the 2002 standings. "My experience with Honda the past two seasons has only deepened my respect for their dedication and professionalism, and I look forward to continuing our successful relationship in the IRL."
Andretti still is working on sponsors, but expects Motorola, Archipelago, 7-Eleven and Klein Tools to be on Andretti Green's cars. The team has yet to choose a chassis manufacturer.
Andretti's announcement could cause tension within his family. Mario, a staunch CART supporter who will oversee a Newman-Haas team in CART in 2003, strongly encouraged his son to remain with the series.
"It's pretty tough to control your kids anymore," Mario said recently. "No question, Michael's heart is in CART. But in the business world, a lot of it is dictated by sponsors."
Though CART has yet to finalize its 2003 entry list, points leader Cristiano da Matta and second-place Bruno Junqueira, both from Brazil, Canadian Paul Tracy and 1996 champion Jimmy Vasser, an American, are among those expected to remain, though da Matta is considering an offer from Formula One. Owner Chip Ganassi, who won four consecutive CART titles in the late 1990s, has yet to announce plans for his three-car team in 2003.
CART spokesman Adam Saal said Andretti's departure was expected and the series still plans to field at least 18 cars next season.
"This really comes down to not a preference in a racing series but rather a decision fueled by their business partners," Saal said. "Our focus remains on building the CART series around those who have made a commitment. We need to focus on who has indicated they want to continue in CART."
Franchitti, 29, makes the move to remain with Andretti, despite his preference for road racing.
"Team Green, Honda and I have enjoyed a lot of success together," said Franchitti, a 10-time winner with Team Green who ranks third in the CART standings after winning Sunday's Rockingham 500. "I've always had a lot of respect for Michael, but working with him as a teammate the past two years has strengthened our relationship. Adding Tony to the mix is the icing on the cake."
-- Information from Times wires was used in this report.