Andretti humbled, excited about starting Daytona 500 (cont'd)

He hung on and made his move when it counted most.

"If we lost the draft, that was it for us," he said. "There were a couple times when it got close, because you get shuffled out, seems like you go backwards a lot faster. Like somebody throws an anchor on you."

50th Daytona 500

• Most memorable
• Winning drivers
• Winning crew chiefs
• History of the 500
• How DIS came to be
• Flashback: Daytona '79

Sunday will be his team's first start in the Daytona 500.

"We might not be running up front for the win, but we can have a respectable race and finish," he said. "That will be the icing on the cake."

Andretti's story can be compared to several other veterans in the garage, including 45-year-old Kenny Wallace, who was released from Furniture Row Racing last season but was asked to pilot a second car for the Daytona 500 alongside full-time driver Joe Nemecheck.

Like Andretti, Wallace believes his status in the sport, without a full-time ride, is not reflective of his talent.

"... [Furniture Row Racing] called me up in the wintertime and says, 'We realize it wasn't you. We want you to run the 500,' Wallace said. "I'm like, 'What the hell?' [They said,] 'We realize how bad our motors were. This is our chance to pay you back.'"

Racing his way into Sunday's Daytona 500, Wallace said, was satisfaction enough and it was his chance to prove his talents with better equipment.

Carolyn Andretti wants the same for her son.

"He has the talent and the passion," she said of John. "He's a good kid and a great family man."

Regardless, she said it's uncertain if her son will ever have a full-time ride in NASCAR again; his shot may have come and gone. Today's team owners want youth and often are less inclined to take a chance on a veteran.

But for now, Andretti can relish in the glory of being the giant killer in Daytona and carry the Andretti family banner in Sunday's race.

"You know, my uncle won this race before he won the Indianapolis 500. That's a big deal, and to have him here on Sunday is going to be great," Andretti said. "We spoke after qualifying earlier in the week, and I'm sure he's excited. My sister will be here, my father is here and it's a great time for the whole family."