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
You feel for guys you know deserve it, that you know have the ability but will be considered less of a champion if they don't get it done. That's why the guy that wins it does somersaults.
I wanted to have a career that would last a hundred years if possible.
You see people in the left lane, and as long as they are on the speed limit, they stay there. Get in the right lane and let people pass you - let the police worry about somebody who wants to speed. Don't force them pass in the right lane and zig zag, which can create an accident, just because you think you're correct.
Al Unser Sr. was one of the smartest drivers I've ever raced against. And I often said, I wish I could've had some of his patience. I know it would have worked for me many times.
All of the courses that run through real streets are very demanding. There is no room for error, no shoulders to lean on. If you go off the road, you're into somebody's shop-window or front porch.
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.
The banked oval tracks are obsolete tracks for Indy cars.
I think it's counterproductive in many ways to pretend to know things you don't. You surround yourself with people who are the real experts.
When you start thinking you may get hurt, it's time to get out of racing.
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.
Whatever the changes, from one era to the next, Pocono has maintained its character and significance to me, and it always will. My family shares this sentiment.
Quite honestly, I treat myself with cars I really want to drive, and I have some flexibility to do that.
Nobody had race savvy like Al Unser in his prime.
My wife loves football, but I think she's resigned to the fact that I'll never make it there.