Mario Andretti
Mario Andretti
Mario Gabriele Andrettiis an Italian American former racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR. He also won races in midget cars, and sprint cars. During his career, Andretti won the 1978 Formula One World Championship, four IndyCar titles, and IROC VI. To date, he remains the only driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500,...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionRace Car Driver
Date of Birth28 February 1940
CityMotovun, Croatia
CountryUnited States of America
In the U.S., we really have fallen short of road-racing facilities that have kept up with the times, unfortunately, but it's a fact.
He's very much at ease with where he's at and who he is. The jury is still out (with his driving); the ultimate proof is in the races. But as a rookie going in, is he well-prepared? I think so.
I've always said, 'I didn't have a Plan B in life.' I was in pursuit of my dream from the very beginning. It's all about desire and passion. At all costs.
In NASCAR, you can do a lot of banging around and get pretty serious and even get yourself upside down. All of those things can happen - and then you give an interview two seconds later.
The banked oval tracks are obsolete tracks for Indy cars.
I see all these old people who don't have anything to do but eat, drink and sleep. I will never say 'retired' because that's such a finality that I don't want to be part of my life. I'll work until they throw me in a box.
If you think you're always in control, then you're not going fast enough.
The crashes people remember, but drivers remember the near misses.
Whenever you're aggressive, you're at the edge of mistakes.
If you don't feel out of control, you're not driving fast enough.
Motor racing is like one big family, ultimately, and when you come back to it, that's really what it feels like.
Tom Carnegie will never be replaced.
It takes a lifetime to build tradition.
The experts or the cynics say, "Oh, those were the good old days, that's when drivers were really drivers. They didn't have all these aids." You know what? What we had, we did the best with and when we got more we provided what was needed.