Backstretch Motorsports

Marco Andretti to Drive XM Satellite Radio Acura at 12 Hours of Sebring with Herta and Fittipaldi

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Andretti Green Racing announced today that Marco Andretti
will be the third driver of the XM Satellite Radio Acura at the season-opening American Le Mans Series event, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Andretti will join series regular Bryan Herta, and newcomer Christian Fittipaldi in piloting the Acura-powered machine.

Andretti was the 2006 IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year and became the youngest driver in history to win a major open-wheel race when he drove to victory at Infineon Raceway on Aug. 27, 2006. Andretti also finished second at the 2006 running of the Indianapolis 500, coming up a bit short in what was the secondclosest finish in the event’s history.

Andretti, who will be making his first ALMS start, has 31 career IndyCar Series starts. He’s accumulated 10 top-five finishes and has led 116 laps in two seasons. Andretti also drove a partial schedule during the 2005 Indy Pro Series season and recorded three wins and three pole positions in only six starts.
In combining with Herta and Fittipaldi in the XM Acura, Andretti is jumping into a car that won the 2007 LMP2 class 12 Hours of Sebring. In 2007, Herta teamed with 2004 IndyCar Series champion Tony Kanaan and 2007 Indianapolis 500 champion Dario Franchitti to lead Acura to a victory in its first ALMS start.
Andretti Green is hoping another fast start at Sebring will lead to an improved 2008 ALMS campaign.
Following its win at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the team collected three podium finishes and the overall pole position at Long Beach, another first for Acura.

Marco Andretti, #26 XM Satellite Radio Acura:
“I’m really looking forward to getting into the XM Satellite Radio Acura. I’ve had a chance to drive the car in a couple of tests and I’ve been very happy with it. The car has been really quick, fun to drive and has been incredibly durable. I’m just excited to be driving with Bryan (Herta) and Christian (Fittipaldi). What Bryan
was able to do last year, in Acura’s very first start, was amazing. I think I’ll be able to contribute and, hopefully, run up front. My grandfather has won three times at Sebring and I hope to add my name to that list.”

Michael Andretti, Chairman, Andretti Green Racing:
“This is a great opportunity for Marco, but also gives us a great lineup for the 12 Hours of Sebring. We really feel like we’ve got three very fast drivers that are smart enough to have the XM car around at the end and that is obviously very critical in a race like this. Marco has tested well and has proven he’s up to the challenge.”

About Andretti Green Racing
Andretti Green Racing, which is owned by partners Michael Andretti, Kim Green and Kevin Savoree, is the winningest team in IndyCar Series history. With four full-time Honda-powered IndyCar Series entries and one Indy Pro Series car, Andretti Green is not only the most successful team ever, it is also the biggest.
Founded in 2002, Andretti Green has three IndyCar Series championships to its credit (2004, 2005 and 2007) and has won the Indianapolis 500 twice, as well, in 2005 and 2007. In addition to its Indy Racing League
program, Andretti Green expanded into the American Le Mans Series with Acura in 2007 and made an immediate impact, capturing an historic LMP2 class win at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.
Andretti Green also boasts a promotional side to its business, owning and operating the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, which saw the conclusion of its third successful outing on April 1, 2007, on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. The 2008 event is scheduled to be held April 4-6