Andretti suing Andretti

Michael Andretti

The recently sacked head of Andretti Sports Marketing, John Lopes, is suing the Andretti Autosport IndyCar team.

Lopes and Starke Taylor each own 20 percent of ASM while Andretti owns the controlling 60 percent of the marketing arm of the team.

A lawsuit has been filed with Marion County Superior Court in Indianapolis against the Andretti Autosport holding company.

The legal action claims that Andretti Autosport, which runs four cars in the IndyCar Series, is $US7 million in debt.

The lawsuit was filed on July 30. Michael Andretti also is named as a defendant.

Most recent titles for both are president of Andretti Sports Marketing for Lopes, and vice chairman of Andretti Sports Marketing for Taylor. As of August 11, both are still listed on the Andretti Sports Marketing overview page as part of the leadership team.

Michael Andretti serves as head of both companies, as team principal of Andretti Autosport and CEO and chairman of the board for Andretti Sports Marketing.

Michael Andretti’s statement reads as follows:

"This lawsuit is a disingenuous and self-serving attempt to benefit John Lopes and Starke Taylor at the expense of Andretti Autosport and its 120 employees. The allegations by Lopes and Taylor will not be supported by the evidence and we will aggressively respond with the truth.

"My family has strived to earn an exemplary reputation in all facets of our personal and professional lives. We will not allow this reckless attempt at grabbing leverage to impact our family name."