Mario Andretti
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| Born: | February 28, 1940 | |
| Birthplace: | Motovun | |
| Awards: | named the "Driver of the Century by the Associated Press and RACER magazine 2000 International Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee 1978 Formula One world champion 1996 National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Inductee (U.S.) 1990 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inductee | |
| NASCAR Cup statistics | ||
| 14 races run over 4 years. | ||
| Best Cup Position: | unrated | |
| First Race: | 1966 Motor Trend 500 (Riverside) | |
| Last Race: | 1969 Motor Trend 500 (Riverside) | |
| First Win: | 1967 Daytona 500 (Daytona) | |
| Last Win: | 1967 Daytona 500 (Daytona) | |
| Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
| 1 | 3 | 0 |
Legacy
Many people, particularly Americans, still consider him to be the finest all-around driver ever, and in 2000, the Associated Press and RACER magazine named him "Driver of the Century." The same year, he was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the United States National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1996. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1990.Legacy at Indianapolis
Andretti also made the saying "Mario is slowing down!" famous at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. While no one doubts his credentials as one of the greatest drivers in the history of motorsports, Andretti's futility at Indy is also, unfortunately, legendary.In the 1985 Indianapolis 500, he was passed by Danny Sullivan who then spun in front of him, pitted on his own caution, and then passed Mario again to go on for the win. His frustration came to a head in the 1987 Indianapolis 500 when he dominated the month of May and led most of the race but was taken out by an electrical problem.
Mario finished all 500 miles just five times with the 1969 Indianapolis 500 victory included. Andretti suffered broken ankles in the 1992 Indianapolis 500 crashing hard in turn four during the race. His last race at Indy was the 1994 Indianapolis 500.
While shaking down a car for his son in tire testing at Indianapolis before the month of May in 2003, Andretti survived a horrifying accident. His car hit a piece of debris left on the track by another car and went flying end over end between turns one and two. The crash was captured by a local television station helicopter. Luckily, the car landed right side up and Andretti walked away from the crash with very minor injuries.
For all his greatness and legendary skill, Andretti, and, by extension, the Andretti family, will long be associated with what many consider to be simply bad luck at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500.
Racing family
Both of Mario Andretti's sons, Michael and Jeff, are also involved in auto racing, and Michael has won the Champ Car title as well. As of 2003, he was Champ Cars' winningest driver. Mario's nephew, John, has had success in both Champ Cars and NASCAR, winning races in both series. His grandson, Marco, won a championship in Champ Cars' "Stars of Tomorrow" kart racing series, before moving into the Star Mazda single-seater series. Marco is currently running his first full season in the Indy Racing League (IRL), driving for his father Michael's Andretti-Green Racing Team, and upon finishing second in the 2006 Indianapolis 500, became the first third-generation-recipient of the race's Rookie of the Year Award, following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather.Mario Andretti and son Michael Andretti both reside today in their respective close sitting mansions overlooking the town of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, from the north side of the town, home to Mario Andretti and his family since the 1950's. Andretti continues day-to-day work as a spokesman for Texaco and Firestone (his longtime sponsors). He is also something of a spokesman for CART, although he has been spotted at IndyCar races recently as he watches over his grandson Marco.
Trivia
- There is a movie about Mario and Michael Andretti and the making of the Newman/Haas Racing cars, called Super Speedway, available in DVD and Imax.
- In the Pixar Animation Studios film Cars, Mario Andretti does a cameo, playing himself as the 1967 Ford Fairlane on which he won the Daytona 500.
- Andretti is mentioned in the Beastie Boys song Shadrach with the line "You love Mario Andretti cause he always drives his car well."
- In her song Crash, Gwen Stefani sings "I picture you driving just like Mario Andretti."
- The Charlie Daniels Band paid tribute in the song Uneasy Rider with the line, “Mario Andretti would’da sure been proud of the way I was movin’ when I passed that crowd…”
- Amy Grant sings "You like to drive like Mario Andretti, I like it taking my time" in her song Good For Me.
- Alan Jackson mentions Andretti in his song Drive (for Daddy Gene), singing "Just a dirt road with trash on each side, but I was Mario Andretti when daddy let me drive"
- Andretti is mentioned in "Award Tour" by A Tribe Called Quest with the line, "Lyrically I'm Mario Andretti on the MOMO, ludicrously speedy or infectious with the slow-mo."
- In the movie Beverly Hills Cop II, after crashing the Ferrari, Inspector Todd calls Jeffrey "Mario Andretti Freidman."
- Andretti operates a winery in Napa Valley, California. [link]
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External links
- [Official website for the Andretti family]
- [Mario Andretti Photos]
- [Biography of Istrian-born Mario Andretti]
- [Mario Andretti's World Championship Season, Race-by-race]
- [Grand Prix History - Hall of Fame], Mario Andretti
- [Mario Andretti statistics]
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