ANDRETTI GREEN RACING EXPECTS TO WIN.

Byline: TIM HADDOCK Motor Sports

Andretti Green Racing team manager Kyle Moyer makes no secret about his expectations for the No. 27 Archipelago/Motorola Honda entry entered in tonight's Indy Racing League Bombadier 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

It is expected to win.

Whether the driver is Dario Franchitti, who is recovering from injuries he suffered in a motorcycle accident, or Bryan Herta, the driver from Valencia who will be filling in for Franchitti for the next two events, the team is expected to win races.

``It's not like we built the team for (Herta),'' Moyer said. ``Not taking anything away from him, he's racing for a team that expects to win every race. So far in testing, Bryan has been very impressive.''

Herta, a Hart High of Newhall graduate who hasn't raced in an open-wheel event in nearly two years, is taking over for Andretti Green's winningest driver. Franchitti won 10 races on the CART Champ Car series for then-owner Barry Green.

Since then, CART veteran and former champion Michael Andretti bought the team and with Kim Green moved to the Indy Racing League. Andretti Green Racing fields three teams, each with talented drivers and crews with the ability to win every race.

Herta said the high expectations haven't affected his preparation for the Texas race.

``They haven't been putting pressure on me,'' Herta said. ``The car's performed very well. The expectations are to continue to perform at that level.''

Franchitti started the season as a driver to contend for the Indy Racing League championship. But he injured himself before the April 13 race at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan. He missed that race and the Indianapolis 500, but is expected to return for the race June 28 at Richmond International Raceway in Virginia.

In the meantime, Herta will drive Franchitti's car at Texas and the June 15 race at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Colorado.

``This is a great opportunity for Bryan,'' Moyer said. ``Filling in for Dario, he has some big shoes to fill. Bryan's a smart driver. He doesn't make many mistakes. For us, he was the right pick until we can get Dario back.''

Andretti Green Racing has three teams. Tony Kanaan, another veteran of the CART Champ Car series, and rookie Dan Wheldon are the other two Andretti Green Racing entries. Andretti retired from racing after last month's Indianapolis 500.

Herta was named as Franchitti's substitute last month and has had several weeks to prepare for the race at Texas Motor Speedway. He has tested at Pikes Peak and Texas and even turned some laps at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

``I think it's going to be a good challenge,'' Herta said. ``Andretti Green is a good team and we can be very competitive. I don't know what to expect, but I feel very comfortable with them. I feel a lot more prepared.''

Herta was also tabbed as the back-up driver for Robby Gordon, who raced the No. 27 car in the Indianapolis 500. Gordon also drives the No. 31 Chevy for Richard Childress Racing on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.

``Indy was really good for me,'' Herta said. ``I got to talk to the team and the guys, develop a relationship with them. I was geared up and was using that as preparation for Texas. But I certainly would have liked to run (at Indy).''

The future for Herta with Andretti Green Racing has no plans past the Pikes Peak race. But that's fine with Herta, who has raced American Le Mans Series sports cars in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and stock cars on the NASCAR Winston West Series over the past two years. He seems confident he will land a driving job after Pikes Peak.

``Right now, I am just focusing on running the races with Andretti Green and see what happens after that,'' Herta said.

--NASCAR Busch Series: Former Saugus Speedway champion Ron Hornaday Jr. is coming off his sixth top-10 finish and is back in the hunt for the NASCAR Busch Series championship.

Hornaday, driver of the No. 2 AC Delco Chevy for Richard Childress Racing, was 10th at Dover International Speedway in Deleware and moved into the top five in points.

The series heads to Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway for today's Trace Adkins Chrome 300. The last time Hornaday was in Nashville, he finished 16th in April.

``We are bringing a different car that I know will be a lot better on race day,'' Hornaday said. ``We really have learned a great deal since that race. I think (crew chief) Rick (Viers) and the guys have learned my driving style now and so the setups coming to Nashville.''

Hornaday's team has been improving throughout the season. They won the Nazareth Speedway race in Pennsylvania and have become a contender to win every race since.

``On a scale of one to 10, last April we were a six,'' Hornaday said. ``This time I think we are a nine. We aren't quite a 10 yet, but I think we are very close. And I owe it all to the guys on this AC Delco team. They have been working their guts out and it is really paying off.''

--Irwindale Speedway: The NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series make its first stop of 2003 at Irwindale Speedway tonight.

The King Taco 150 will highlight a night of racing that includes the NASCAR Late Models, Super Stocks and Ultra Wheel Spec Trucks.

NASCAR Super Late Model driver Ben Walker of Santa Clarita is entered in the Southwest Series race. Walker is third in the Super Late Model standings.

Racing starts at 6 p.m.

CAPTION(S):

2 boxes

Box:

(1) THIS WEEK'S RACES

(2) IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY POINTS STANDINGS