I rooted against him as a kid. I was an F1 snob when he was dominant in Indy and other cars. When I look back on a lifetime of racing fanhood however, I realize he was probably the greatest driver of all time. Indy 500. Daytona 500. World Driving Champion. Awesome. Go Mario!
His stats combined with his multi-discipline accomplishments, examined in the context of the bare knuckle lethal era of racing, solidify those accomplishments up into best ever status. Being a life long open wheel fan, I'm well aware of his pursuits in USAC Stocks (dirt and pavement), USAC Open Wheel (dirt and pavement), F1, and Of course CART. In all of those successful endeavors the details of events and stories amazingly never get old. However, the explanation and details of Mario's time in the run-up to his Daytona 500, and the win itself, is nothing short of extraordinary. In addition to the strong field of competitors, he battled his teammate and his own team as well! The factory Ford team wanted their primary driver Lorenzen to win. So Andretti, fighting a deliberately underpowered engine, opted for a small rear spoiler for quals. After quals someone convinced Ford execs to assure Andretti had equal power as his superstar teammate. Andretti was unknowingly stuck with the small spoiler for the race. The full power factory Ford power-plant, combined with less rear downforce meant that the car was nearly undriveable! However in Andretti's hands, THAT was a recipe for one of the greatest drives in racing history. Marshall Pruett did a written piece, I heard Andretti tell the full story on Pruett's Podcast
Met you in Milwaukee when Brother Warren introduced me to you Mario. I was 13 or 14 at the time. I will never forget that day outside the Holliday Inn for the Milwaukee 150.
His story is a good one,rags to riches .He found his niche in life & by God he could drive anything.Even his son Michael,when they were driving for Newman- Hass,it was a great time for Indycar.Week in week out he or Michael were usually one of the fastest cars on the track.
As a motor racing historian, I would of course like to ask some questions about his career. On the other hand, I bet he would be even more interesting as a person to discuss with. The way he talked with his parrot Gonzo and the way he talked about Martini the pig... He must be a very nice man and a great human being. That matters the most.
Growing up, if I was with some one who drove too fast we'd say "slow down Mario" and I still say this to my son today. We didn't say slow down "Bobby" or "AJ", even though they are the legends that they are, Mario Andretti is a stand out.
Got his models,figures most important full admiration ,legend , also Jacky Ickx, Lauda ,Jim Clarke and many more not these new kids on the block with these f1 toys these guys are the pioneers of the sport!
riverside 67' mario's dean van lines spl. brakes , andy g. takes pollard out of one of the turbines puts mario and a can under his foot to reach gas pedal . he almost made a lap bafore the can slipped out and he took leanard in the other turbine in tun 9
Really neat life story and we are all headed to a box Mario. That's why more than any other business, we need to be certain we are ready to meet Jesus face to face. Acts 2:38
Absolute Icon. No one else won Daytona 500, Indy 500, F1 and Indy championships.
He seems like such a great and genuine man! The world needs more Mario Andrettis!
I rooted against him as a kid. I was an F1 snob when he was dominant in Indy and other cars. When I look back on a lifetime of racing fanhood however, I realize he was probably the greatest driver of all time. Indy 500. Daytona 500. World Driving Champion. Awesome. Go Mario!
But he's the 1978 F1 world champion, the last Lotus driver to win the championship.
My all time favourite driver, could drive anything
His stats combined with his multi-discipline accomplishments, examined in the context of the bare knuckle lethal era of racing, solidify those accomplishments up into best ever status.
Being a life long open wheel fan, I'm well aware of his pursuits in USAC Stocks (dirt and pavement), USAC Open Wheel (dirt and pavement), F1, and Of course CART. In all of those successful endeavors the details of events and stories amazingly never get old.
However, the explanation and details of Mario's time in the run-up to his Daytona 500, and the win itself, is nothing short of extraordinary.
In addition to the strong field of competitors, he battled his teammate and his own team as well!
The factory Ford team wanted their primary driver Lorenzen to win. So Andretti, fighting a deliberately underpowered engine, opted for a small rear spoiler for quals. After quals someone convinced Ford execs to assure Andretti had equal power as his superstar teammate.
Andretti was unknowingly stuck with the small spoiler for the race. The full power factory Ford power-plant, combined with less rear downforce meant that the car was nearly undriveable!
However in Andretti's hands, THAT was a recipe for one of the greatest drives in racing history.
Marshall Pruett did a written piece, I heard Andretti tell the full story on Pruett's Podcast
So happy that I got him to autograph on a Mario Racing tin and old card when he came to Prescott Valley,Arizona a few years ago.
Thankyou for sharing this video of Mario Andrettis. Racing is a way of life and I wouldn't change it for anything. One big family.
Mario is the best, saw him at Indy this past weekend he's still driving the Indy 2-seater prior to races...
I loved the andrettis & that Kmart livery.watching mike & Mario compete was one of my favorite pastimes.
That was a great piece, the end provided a terrific Mario Andretti quote
Met you in Milwaukee when Brother Warren introduced me to you Mario. I was 13 or 14 at the time. I will never forget that day outside the Holliday Inn for the Milwaukee 150.
Truly a class act.
Mario Andretti, is what makes America great.
And immigrant of course, funny thing.
His story is a good one,rags to riches .He found his niche in life & by God he could drive anything.Even his son Michael,when they were driving for Newman- Hass,it was a great time for Indycar.Week in week out he or Michael were usually one of the fastest cars on the track.
*legal* @@Kubickz
Will always be the best in my book !
Mario is the pinicle of motor racing. what he has done for Indycar is a God send.
He seems really genuine and definitely likes his possessions.
One thumbs down. I didn't know Bobby Unser watches RUclips.
Why would Bobby Unser give it a thumbs down, he was ruled the winner of the 81 500 even though Mario probably was the rightful victor...
@@vinewood8295 it was obviously a joke...
What a racer! We love ya Mario!
As a motor racing historian, I would of course like to ask some questions about his career. On the other hand, I bet he would be even more interesting as a person to discuss with. The way he talked with his parrot Gonzo and the way he talked about Martini the pig... He must be a very nice man and a great human being. That matters the most.
Growing up, if I was with some one who drove too fast we'd say "slow down Mario" and I still say this to my son today. We didn't say slow down "Bobby" or "AJ", even though they are the legends that they are, Mario Andretti is a stand out.
Classic Man.
He could probably run at Indy today, and be a “front runner”👍
Mario, you are the best!
Robert Skeets..... Mario Andretti is an Italian of course ....
My father helped build his pool. Not the one outside but the one in his main living room. home reminds me of the Monticello.
Got his models,figures most important full admiration ,legend , also Jacky Ickx, Lauda ,Jim Clarke and many more not these new kids on the block with these f1 toys these guys are the pioneers of the sport!
Great man and a great racing driver!! 👍👍
Andretti, Foyt, Gurney, they could all drive anything and have success.
And most importantly, survive in an era when many did not.
I’ve actually been in that house a couple of times... Back when Martini was still around...
"If everything seems like it’s under control…you’re just not going fast enough". Mario Andretti.
What a champion.
The GOAT
Was my favorite from day one.indy f1, Daytona LeMans.he won em all.a.j. foyt you were pretty good your dam self.
Wonder where hes got his Mario Andretti pinball machine stashed at? They made one themed on him so you know hes got to have it lol.
One real "Hero!"
watched him race and met him in phx he was awesome, Like his pig
BRAVO MARIO
They don't create men like that no more God bless Mario Andretti
I'm a beer drinker but Id love try a glass of the '24 Margot that made Mario beam with pride at 1:40.
I would pay, to get to take a tour.
GRANDE MARIO!
So cool..
riverside 67' mario's dean van lines spl. brakes , andy g. takes pollard out of one of the turbines puts mario and a can under his foot to reach gas pedal . he almost made a lap bafore the can slipped out and he took leanard in the other turbine in tun 9
Ciao Mario balla
2:02 Freedom to Gonzo!
does he speak italian or croatian??
He speaks italian because is italian, is not croatian .
@NASCAR24JG at the moment yes .
me too
I think he did ok for himself even if he was stripped of the 1981 Indianapolis 500! Lots of trophies, and whine! Oh!!!........... Wine.
His wine collection makes me shake. Christ almighty.
Cool.
Hope he has a good home fire insurance...
Un simpatico italiano.
I want to stay un retired until they throw me in a box too!!
Really neat life story and we are all headed to a box Mario. That's why more than any other business, we need to be certain we are ready to meet Jesus face to face. Acts 2:38
I would have more respect if his home didn’t look like a personal museum. Personal museum is also an oxymoron.
Dont like the caged bird