Many phrases have come to be synonymous with the Indy 500: “Gentlemen Start Your Engines”, “Back Home in Indiana”, and the notorious, “Andretti is slowing on the backstretch.” In fact, so many times has track announcer Tom Carnegie uttered those heartbreaking words that many had come to believe Mario was cursed at the Speedway. Perhaps, rightfully so.
During festivities for the 2000 Indy 500, several drivers from Indy’s past were reunited with their cars for a few historic demonstration laps. Andretti set aside his CART/IRL differences to take part when he drove the Dean Van Lines Special that he put on the pole in 1967.
Andretti took to the course and accelerated through the first two turns when, a few moments later, Carnegie announced that Andretti was – yet again – “slowing on the backstretch.” The culprit – a faulty fuel system. Curses!
