MAXINE: Let The Marco Era Begin!

Marco was already well on his way to becomming "Rookie-Of-The-Year" in the IRL after narrowly winning the Indianapolis 500 in May ... but it sure helps to win a race outright, and he did it in fine fashion. Marco Andretti sipped sparkling cider Sunday to celebrate becoming the youngest winner of a major open-wheel race ... ever!

The 19-year-old gambled twice on fuel, then benefited from a caution late in the race to hold off Dario Franchitti by 0.66 seconds and win the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway.

Marco won in front of his father, Michael, the co-owner of Andretti Green Racing, and his famous grandfather, Mario, winner of the 1969 Indy 500.

"Being able to bounce things off the two best in the business definitely helps," Marco Andretti said.

Let the Marco era begin!

http://maxine-log.blogspot.com/2006/08/let-marco-era-begin.html

additional photo credits:

IRL driver Marco Andretti drives through turn three enroute to winning the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma Sunday, Aug. 27, at Infineon Raceway in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Sonoma, Calif. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

IRL driver Marco Andretti, left, laughs with his father, Michael Andretti, after winning the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma Sunday, Aug. 27, at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

IRL driver Marco Andretti raises his fist as he crosses the finish line to win the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma Sunday, Aug. 27, at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. Andretti becomes a third generation Indy winner. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)