Race Rock - Michael Andretti

Michael Andretti

Michael Andretti, eldest son of motorsports legend Mario Andretti, remembers traveling with his parents from race to race, often wearing a driving uniform just like his father's. At a young age, Michael had the desire and instinct of a born champion. He started racing go-karts in the early 1970's and won more than one-third of the 75 events he entered from 1972-79. In 1980, he qualified for his Sports Car Club of America amateur and national licenses and won the Toyota Pro-Celebrity contest at Watkins Glen.

The Road to Indy was a smooth and quick one, paved with victories. Michael won the SCCA Northeast Division Formula Ford Title in 1981 with six national victories. The following year, he captured the Bosch Super Vee championship, winning six of 11 races, and was named SCCA Pro Rookie of the Year.

In 1983, Michael won his only Super Vee start, at Long Beach, then concentrated on the more powerful Formula Mondial (Atlantic) cars. He won that title with three victories and drove with Mario to a third place finish at the 24 Hours of LeMans. Michael's IndyCar debut also came in 1983--Las Vegas with the Kraco team - starting 15th and finishing 19th after gearbox problems.

Michael ran his first full IndyCar season in 1984, finishing seventh in PPG Cup points. That same year he qualified fourth for his first Indianapolis 500; he finished fifth in the race to earn Co-Rookie of the Year honors (with Roberto Guerrero).

Gradually establishing himself among the elite of motorsports, Michael continued to rack up important victories. In 1987, he was again second in PPG Cup Points. Among his four victories that year was his first 500-mile triumph at Michigan. Mario and Michael made history as IndyCar racing's first father-son team in 1989 when Michael joined Newman/Haas Racing. And, in 1990, Michael charged to five victories and second in the rankings.

Michael's "dream" season came in 1991 when he seized the PPG IndyCar World Series championship with a record eight wins, eight poles and Driver-of-The-Year honors. He was also recognized as Outstanding Athlete of the Year by the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association. In 1992, Michael scored five more wins and fell just four points short of Rahal for the championship.

In 1993, Michael switched to the McLaren Formula One team, but returned to IndyCars just one year later. The next few years brought numerous pole positions and several key victories. Now, with his legendary father cheering from the sidelines, Michael Andretti has won more races, more poles and led more laps than any other active Indy car driver. The 35-year-old son of racing legend Mario Andretti is now "the man to beat" in the 220-plus mph world of open-wheel racing.

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