AllRacing

Marco Andretti retires from racing: “I am very much at peace with the next chapter in my life”

Marco Andretti has turned the final lap in a motor racing career that spanned three decades.

The son of 1991 CART IndyCar Series champion Michael Andretti and grandson of all-time great Mario Andretti was an immediate threat in junior open-wheel racing in the former Star Mazda and Infiniti Pro Series championships, known today at USF Pro 2000 and Indy NXT. With numerous wins in both categories, Andretti made his IndyCar Series debut in 2006 just 13 days after his 19th birthday and won the penultimate race of the season at Sonoma on the way to earning Rookie of the Year and seventh place in the standings.

Another w in followed in 2011 at Iowa Speedway as Andretti’s oval prowess was on display. At the end of a disappointing run to 16th in the 2012 championship, a renewed dedication to the pursuit of an IndyCar championship was demonstrated when Andretti headed to England and sought the advice and coaching from the legendary Rob Wilson, whose driving insights proved to be invaluable.

Armed with minor adjustments to his craft, Andretti was locked in when the 2013 season commenced and opened the year with a podium finish. Another podium followed in Brazil, and thanks to 15 runs inside the top 10 from 19 races, Andretti secured a career-best fifth-place finish in the championship. He extended his full-time career through 2020 before stepping back to look after an array of businesses, with real estate being a key area of development, and making the annual pilgrimage to contest the Indy 500 with Andretti Global.

All 253 of Andretti’s IndyCar starts took place with the team bearing his name. The 20-time Indianapolis 500 starter, 2020 Indy 500 pole winner, and two-time IndyCar Series race winner announced the decision on social media.

“To my family, friends, teams, sponsors, and fans who have genuinely supported me for the last 30 years in motorsports, I want to thank you for allowing me the privilege to continue our family’s passion on the racetrack. I have had some really fun times behind the wheel in a lot of different types of racing cars — a lot of great memories as well, mostly at the Indy 500.

“Today, I am announcing my retirement from motor racing and the Indianapolis 500. Th at totals 20 starts at the Speedway, which I feel so fortunate to be able to say. That is ranked 12th all-time. Not bad for a 38-year-old. I am proud of my overall stats at the Indy 500. I had six very legitimate shots at victory with Andretti Autosport and ended up with 20-percent top-3 finishes at the Speedway. It feels accomplishing to me to be able to retire having more podium finishes than my father Michael and the same as my grandfather Mario at the biggest race in the world.

“I will never forget the rare circumstance of getting to race my dad in the closing laps for the win there – the pressure of participating in a dramatic Bump Day in 2011 to a pole position in 2020. That is what the Indianapolis 500 produces: extremes on both ends. That is why I love and appreciate it so much. I am very much at peace with the next chapter in my life after dedicating three decades to the sport. I will be prioritizing most of my time on being a great father to my daughter, Miura, and tending to my other business ventures.”

Andretti also made an impact in sports car racing, where he competed at select endurance American Le Mans Series events for the factory Andretti Green Racing Acura LMP2 team. Andretti’s bravery in the Acura ARX-01b, which included going flat in pre-season testing at Sebring’s fast Turn 1, was remarkable, and he also competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2010 with Rebellion Racing among other starts in Grand-Am and V8 Supercars.

“I am also coming out with a memoir about my life called ‘Defending the Dynasty,’” added Andretti, who vacates a coveted Indy 500 seat. “Details coming soon on that. Competing at the top level of North American motorsport is and has been an honor for me, even in the tough times. That is where I can look back and say I have made my best progress in life as a man.

“Learning to navigate very difficult dynamics at times, and others doubting me, made me realize that my opinion of myself is the one that should matter the most. Lastly, a special thank you to a lot of the people I respect in motor racing for the kind words about my driving, work ethic, and true character.”