Mario Andretti (1940- ) was born in Montona, Italy, in an area now part of Slovenia. Andretti won more than 50 Indy Car races, the Indianapolis 500, and the World Grand Prix Formula One championship. He is recognized as one of the most successful and versatile drivers in automobile racing history.
Andretti He grew up in Lucca, where he began racing at the age of 13. In 1955 his family moved to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and beginning in 1958 he became involved in stock car races, turning to full-time automobile racing in 1961. Andretti advanced to United States Auto Club (USAC) events in 1964 and won the USAC championship in 1965, the year he entered the Indianapolis 500 for the first time. He repeated as USAC champion in 1966, won the Daytona 500 (a stock-car event) in 1967, and won the Indianapolis 500 in 1969.
During the 1970s Andretti concentrated on Grand Prix Formula One racing. In 1971 he won his first Formula One race, and he won the championship in 1978. Andretti has also raced with-and against-his sons Michael and Jeff, who also became professional automobile racers. Andretti retired from competition in 1994.
