Off to best start of his career Marco Andretti now tries to shake the family curse at Indy

Marco Andretti respond to a question from the media during a interview for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Thursday, May 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) (The Associated Press)

In this photo taken on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, Marco Andretti sits in his pit box during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Andretti went into the Indianapolis 500 last year believing the race was his to lose. Well, he lost and the Andretti Curse lives. Now off to his best start, he could become the first Andretti to win the showcase race since his grandfather in 1969. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (The Associated Press)

INDIANAPOLIS – The "Andretti Curse" at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has stretched to a third generation.

Marco Andretti has had the same bad luck in the Indianapolis 500 as the rest of his family. Five different Andrettis combined to make 80 starts in the Indianapolis 500, and Mario Andretti's 1969 victory remains the lone win.

Marco Andretti believes Sunday's race is his best chance. That's saying a lot because he's had his chances. He lost the 2006 race on the last lap, and finished third in 2008 and 2010. He led a race-high 59 laps last year before crashing with 13 to go.

Andretti says his car last year wasn't good enough to win the race, and he feels far better about his chances this season.