Slumped on a counter in his garage, Andretti reflected on a finishing order that was like a dagger through the heart. Penske was racing in the 500 for the first time since 1994.
Timing is everything.
Andretti, who missed Indy the last five years because of the CART-Indy Racing League feud, started from the 21st position and kept charging toward the front, even as he met adversity all along the way. He led 16 laps, giving him 398 for his Indy career. We did the best we could. We just came up short. Mario Andretti, who became as well known for his failures as the family's lone Indy victory in 1969, tried to console his son.