Before moving to the United States, Mario and his brother Aldo were racing fans. Alberto Ascari, an Italian race car driver, was much admired by Andretti. After relocating to the United States, Andretti started racing stock cars while working in his uncle’s shop. The older Andretti was forced to leave the area after a serious accident, but Mario, his younger brother, was unfazed. Due to his father’s opposition, he missed all of his races in 1964.
In 1961, he became a member of the United Racing Club, and two years later, he joined the American Race Drivers Club. His specialty was midgets, and he enjoyed cursing the east in them. In 1964, a year after becoming a citizen, Mario Andretti became a member of the US Auto Club. He has a spot in the Indianapolis 500, and he came in third place last time. He was also selected Rookie of the Year.
Later, he took part in both Formula One competitions and the NASCAR Dayton 500. He is a well-known Indy car racer as well. Midway through the 1970s, Mario spent most of his time competing in Formula One. Mario won the World Sports Championship for the first time in 1978. Andretti won the Indy Car championship in 1984. After over $11 million in earnings, Mario left Indy car racing in 1994.
