Younger generation lags behind at Indy

The cruel Twitter posts came fast and furious Friday as Marco Andretti and Graham Rahal participated in their final practice session for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.

“Would Graham Rahal have a ride in the series if his last name wasn’t Rahal?” read one.

“You mean to tell me, that Marco Andretti is being a cry-baby on the radio?!” read another, along with a sarcastic #surprised and #spoiledbrat.

It’s May, which means the faults and failures of Andretti and Rahal are in the spotlight at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where their famous fathers shined.

Andretti is burdened by his last name. Mario Andretti, his grandfather, won 52 races and ranks second all-time. Michael, his father, ranks third at 42 career wins.

Marco, in his ninth season, has two wins.

It’s no easier for Rahal. His father, Bobby, has 24 career victories, won the 1986 Indy 500 and is a three-time series champ.

Graham has one win in 100 starts since 2007.

Sprint Cup

Kevin Harvick heads into the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night coming off a win and three top-10s in the last four races. He was in position to win last week’s All-Star race until a slow final pit stop caused him to finish second at Charlotte.

Now he goes into the Coca-Cola 600 looking for his third win in four years at NASCAR’s longest race of the season. Harvick won the 600-miler in 2011 and 2013, and feels he’s got another shot with his new No. 4 Chevrolet.

“The first minute that I was in that car, I haven’t quit smiling,” he said. “It’s been so refreshing and so much fun to be part of that every day.”

Harvick said there’s something different and special about his new Rodney Childers-led crew.

“The bottom line is the organization from a whole has given us every resource that we have asked for,” Harvick said. “You never talk about money. It’s just what do you need and how do we get it for you.”