MARLBORO 500 NOTES

Michael Andretti, in one of his strongest showings of the season, led 44 of the 250 laps and had memorable battles with Jimmy Vasser, Greg Moore and Paul Tracy before coming to grief.

Andretti was running second, trying to catch Vasser, when he let his car get too low on the track, losing traction, getting sideways and sliding up into the outside wall in Turn 4 on Lap 211.

“I was trying to get as much track as possible and went too low,” he said. “I had a glare [from the sun] on my [face] shield and went on the apron. I guessed a little wrong and it cost me a chance at a win and $1 million . . . This season was one of the most disappointing in years.”

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In an ironic twist on the track that Roger Penske built, his cars were the first two out of the Marlboro 500.

Andre Ribeiro, in one, brought out the first yellow flag of the day when his car’s rear end came around and pitched him into the wall after only six laps.

Then Al Unser Jr.’s car developed an oil leak and was out of the race after only 33 laps. Unser, who has won 31 times, hasn’t been in Victory Circle since 1995.

And Penske, whose cars have won 99 times, has been trying to win No. 100 since ’96.