THE SIDELINES : An Indy-Andretti Family Affair

Al Unser was the first Indianapolis 500 driver to compete against his son. Mario Andretti could become the first to race against two of his sons and a nephew.

Jeff Andretti, Mario’s youngest son, is among 10 drivers participating in the U.S. Auto Club’s annual Rookie Orientation Program at the Speedway this weekend.

If he qualifies for the May 27 race, he could join his father, his older brother, Michael, and his cousin, John Andretti, in the lineup. It would mark the first time four members of one family have driven at Indianapolis the same year.

Four Unsers--Al, Al Jr. and Al’s brothers, Bobby and Jerry--drove at Indy, but not all in the same years. Al, a four-time Indy winner, and Al Jr. were the first father-son entrants to drive in the same race (1983), two years after three-time winner Bobby retired. Mario, the 1969 winner, and Michael Andretti were the second father-son combination (1984).

John Andretti, son of Mario’s twin brother, Aldo, was 21st as a rookie in 1988.