Andretti to take over as Milwaukee Mile promoter

By The Associated Press

CREATED Mar. 1, 2012

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  • Drivers including Dario Franchitti (10), of Scotland, head through the fourth turn during the IndyCar Series' Milwaukee Mile 225 auto race at the Milwaukee Mile on Sunday, June 19, 2011, in West Allis, Wis. (AP Photo/Darren Hauck) ORG XMIT: WIDH107 Image by Darren Hauck

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Michael Andretti is taking over as promoter of the struggling Milwaukee Mile IndyCar race, and he knows he won't have the mainstream appeal of Danica Patrick to help bring fans back to the track.
  
Andretti says that's fine. He insists the series is better off in some respects without her. With Patrick in IndyCar, Andretti said, "It became all about her. Even our racing was secondary."
  
Andretti went out of his way to make it clear that his comments weren't meant as a criticism of Patrick, but rather the amount of media attention she receives -- leaving other drivers undiscovered. Patrick has left IndyCar and will concentrate full-time on her NASCAR career this season.
  
Andretti's marketing company is promoting the Milwaukee IndyFest, which will be held June 15-16.