BlogLegendary race car driver Mario Andretti is one of the most accomplished American drivers in the history of motor sports. He has been named United States Driver of the Year in three decades and becoming the first driver to win automobile races in five different decades! A man whose name is synonymous with speed, he’s showing no signs of slowing down off the track. He continues to work as a spokesman for his longtime sponsors such as Texaco and Firestone and serves as vice chairman for Andretti Winery in Napa Valley, California. He owns gas stations, car washes, go-kart tracks, and his own Toyota Dealership.
Mario Andretti turns 82 years old today. To celebrate, let’s take a closer look at his career and famous family.
Nazareth Speedway, Nazareth, PA
While still a teenager, Mario Andretti and his family immigrated to the United States from Italy. In 1955, they settled in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. After graduating high school in 1959, Mario and his twin brother Aldo started racing on the dirt tracks near Nazareth, unbeknownst to their parents until Aldo suffered a major injury. Their home track, the Nazareth Speedway, held Indy, IROC, and NASCAR events until 2004. Though abandoned and overgrown, it remains visible not far from Andretti’s residence.
Mario Andretti’s House, Nazareth, PA
Mario Andretti and his late wife Dee Ann broke ground on their enormous Tuscan-style mansion in Nazareth in 1995 and moved in three years later, in 1998. With nearly 20,000 square feet of space, a game room, a garden, and a swimming pool, it is no wonder he still lives there to this day. He has continually maintained a residence in Nazareth since he arrived in the United States.
Marco Andretti’s House, Nazareth, PA
Nazareth is not just Mario’s home, however. The town remains central to the whole Andretti family. Adjacent to his palatial property is another gorgeous mansion, this one owned by his grandson, Marco Andretti. Originally the home of Michael Andretti, Mario’s son, this 12,000-square-foot house was purchased by Marco for $2 million. This house has loads of amenities, including the tennis court and six-hole golf course that can be seen in the aerial photo.
Michael Andretti’s House, Fishers, IN
Michael Andretti bought his house in Fishers, Indiana in 2009 to be closer to his work at Andretti Autosport. Michael is one of himself one of the most successful drivers in American racing and Andretti Autosport has won four IndyCar Series championships and five Indianapolis 500 races under his ownership. This huge house has a pool and a three-stall attached garage.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Marco Andretti was the youngest full-time driver in Indy car history and in 2006, he became the third Andretti to place in the top 5 in his Indianapolis 500 debut. His runner-up finish (he was beaten by just .0635 seconds) was the second-closest finish in the history of the race. Mario Andretti won the race back in 1969 but no Andretti has been able to top the podium since, prompting talk among race fans of an “Andretti Curse”.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a 560-acre facility and is the largest sports venue in the world. It opened in 1909 and hosts IndyCar races and NASCAR events.
Andretti Autosport
Not far from the Indianapolis Speedway, you can find the headquarters of Andretti Autosport, the race team owned by Michael Andretti since 2003. Marco has raced for the team and Mario remains actively involved.
With his influence on American racing continuing to this day through his family and his own work, Mario Andretti is unquestionably one of the most important race car drivers ever. Now in his 80s, don’t expect Mario Andretti to slow down any time soon!
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