Mario Andretti, one of the most illustrious racing drivers in American history, has amassed an impressive array of accolades throughout his illustrious career, including victories in the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500, the International Race of Champions (IROC) series, CART, and Formula 1 World titles.
Born in Montona, Italy, now known as Motvun, Croatia, Andretti moved to the United States in 1955 with his family, which included his identical twin brother Aldo. From a young age, Andretti's ultimate goal was to claim the world championship, and he finally achieved this milestone in 1978, becoming America's second and last world champion.
Naturalized as a U.S. citizen in his teenage years, Andretti went on to win the CART title, the premier open-wheel racing series in the United States, and ultimately retired from racing in 1995. His son Michael, also a talented racing driver, went on to become a successful team owner, further solidifying the Andretti family's legacy in the sport.
Even in retirement, Andretti remains an iconic figure in the world of motorsports, cherished by fans and widely recognized as one of the most celebrated personalities in the sport.