Andretti: Return unlikely.(Competition)

Michael Andretti doesn't toss around the retirement word. But he now says it is "highly unlikely'' that he will return to compete in this year's Indianapolis 500, as some people expected last year when he walked away from another disappointing defeat at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Andretti said he is enjoy- ing the role of team owner, and his team, Andretti Green Racing, which he co-owns with Kim Green and Kevin Savoree, has announced a four-car effort for the Indy Racing League season. The cars will be driven by Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti, Dan Wheldon and Bryan Herta.

"I would say the odds [of me returning] are highly against it,'' Andretti said. "For one, it would be a five-car effort, and I'm not sure [about that]. That may be way too much strain on the team. And two is, I'm really happy with the role I'm in. I'm also not in the shape I was in, and, you know, it's not something that happens overnight. If I was going to return, I would have to start really working out now, and I just really don't have the desire to do it.''

Andretti, who never won the 500 despite many close calls, suggested that perhaps he is destined to win the race "10 times as an owner.''

Andretti also said the IRL needs to add road racing "sooner rather than later.'' He said the IRL needs to be in the Long Beach, Canadian and Mexican markets, all places occupied by CART (or OWRS). The IRL has not budged publicly on its statement that it hasn't found the right road-course opportunity yet. But with Elkhart Lake officials balking in court at the CART moves, it is fair to say the Road America course is, like Mid-Ohio, one of the leading candidates for a fall race this season. The IRL's new chassis update kit includes road-course pieces.

In fact, IRL officials are studying the possibility of buying certain CART assets. "We're a racing company, and they have racing equipment for sale,'' an official said. He added that a decision will be made on or before the Jan. 23 deadline for alternative bids (AW, Jan. 12).

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