Andretti insists he really isn’t retired
Mario Andretti hasn’t raced full-time in IndyCar in 24 years, but if anyone ever asks the racing legend how he’s enjoying retirement, he’ll quickly correct them.
“I’m not retired,” he told USA TODAY Sports on Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway while promoting Firestone. “I’m only retired from one phase.”
Andretti is an active ambassador for motor sports, regularly promoting IndyCar, spending much of his time at race tracks and giving 200-mile per hour rides to fans in two-seater cars. At 78 years old, he has no intention of stopping.
Plus, he has family to cheer for and support. He loves watching his son, Michael Andretti, succeed as an IndyCar Series team owner and witnessing his grandson, Marco Andretti, who drives the No. 98 Honda and will compete in Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, carry on the family’s legacy on the track.
“We have a lot of skin in the game, which makes me very proud, of course,” said Mario, who won the Indy 500 in 1969. “It’s all of the excitement, the anxieties and all of those things that keep you vibrant in so many ways, things to look forward to, challenges everywhere you turn. These are all the things that I love to embrace and try to conquer. And I just can’t picture myself doing anything else.”
Among his ample accolades, the Italian-born American driver is the only one to win the Indy 500, NASCAR’s Daytona 500 (1967) and a Formula 1 world championship (1978).
He’s not racing anymore, but giving high-speed tours of race tracks in his two-seater is the next best thing for the septuagenarian. It also helps that his specific car is “a little bit faster than the normal ones,” which is why he loves doing that for fans.
“I wouldn’t do it if it was just blase, quite honestly,” he said. “There’s adrenaline in place, and that’s good for my body because my body (has) only known adrenaline for almost 60 years. And why not? Just keep doing it while I still can.”
The aura of the Indy 500 will never get old for Mario — whether it’s the tradition, prestige or the possibility of one of his descendants winning.
His son, Michael, often had strong races as a driver, but he never captured the checkered flag at the iconic event and holds the record for most laps led without a win (431), according to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. But as an owner, Andretti Autosport has five victories to its name.
Grandson Marco is gunning for his first Indy 500 championship. He qualified 12th last weekend and will start Sunday’s race from the fourth row. Mario knows he would lose control of his emotions if Marco won.
“Oh my gosh, I’ll do the snow angel in pit lane (if Marco wins),” Mario said.