I damn near was able to run flat in turn two and four. “That car had wings and ground effects plus four-wheel-drive, and was three to four miles per hour quicker than the second fastest car during the first week of practice,” mechanic Jim McGee told IndyStar in a 1999 interview on the 30th anniversary of Andretti’s win.Īndretti said at the time, “That car was a slug down the straightaway because of the aerodynamic drag, but I could use so much throttle in the corners. “Mario’s position as one of the most popular drivers in the race’s history only has grown over time, and his accomplishments in every discipline of racing in which he has competed remain landmarks of our sport.” That reliable HawkĪndretti came to Indianapolis 50 years ago with a state-of-the art car, a four-wheel drive Lotus 64/Ford designed by Colin Chapman and owned by Andy Granatelli. “Mario Andretti’s victory in the 1969 Indianapolis 500 was one of the iconic moments in the history of the world’s greatest auto race,” IMS president Doug Boles said.

It also announced a special exhibit at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum that will showcase Andretti’s historic cars. The Speedway unveiled a logo featuring Andretti that will be displayed and used throughout the race. This helped Mario Andretti to set a new time record at 3:11:14.71, beating Dan Gunery by more than two seconds at the finish line.Andretti will be honored at this year’s Indianapolis 500 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of his first and only 500 win.

The power of the engine in his Ford owned by Andy Granetti was second to none as the final 110 laps were run without a caution. However, it was clear that Andretti had the best car as he held the lead for 116 laps. Foyt who had the pole when the race began. In the 53rd running at the Brickyard, it was A.J. The 1969 season was the best of Mario Andretti’s career, as he won nine races, including the Indianapolis 500. A year later, he captured the pole as he quickly was becoming one of the most popular drivers in the United States. In 1965 Andretti earned Rookie of the Year while finishing third in the Indianapolis 500. However, his career in NASCAR was brief, as the circuit was largely confined to the Southeast, while open-wheel racing was more popular and afforded him many more opportunities. In 1967, Mario Andretti scored his first major win when he captured the checkered flag in the Daytona 500.

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