The Andretti family is racing royalty, and the latest piece of Indianapolis 500 history a member of it made was last weekend when Marco Andretti won the pole for Sunday’s race at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This marked the first time in 33 years that a member of the Andretti family won the Indy 500 pole, dating back to legendary racer Mario Andretti’s 1987 pole.
But with 33-year-old Marco out front ahead of the rest of the 2020 Indy 500 field, Mario, his grandfather, and Michael, his father and Andretti Autosport team owner, joined him before the green flag.
This awesome moment celebrating the family and its impact on Indy 500 history was the first time three generations of the Andretti family turned laps together around the 2.5-mile track. And 80-year-old Mario drove the two-seater ride, while Michael was in the backseat.
Before the green flag waved in the #Indy500, we got to see three generations of Andretti on the track at @IMS.@MarioAndretti // @MichaelAndretti // @MarcoAndretti pic.twitter.com/U8ALTgEk7O
— Indy 500 on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) August 23, 2020
The most meaningful moments in life are the ones you share with family. If Marco wins this race, I could not have dreamed a dream this big. If not, we tried and had fun trying. We absolutely love this place @IMS pic.twitter.com/tz0BX3m8Y1
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) August 23, 2020
“I’m one of the few that can say I’ve been teammates with both my father and my son – and now to have the opportunity for all three of us to be on track together, on Race Day at IMS, is really special,” Michael Andretti said. “Dad and I are really excited to do this together, but we’re still fighting about who’s going to drive.”
And, as Mario noted before race day, he was not about to let 57-year-old Michael drive.
So @michaelandretti thinks he's driving the 2-seater and I'm the passenger at the start of the Indy 500 this Sunday. NOT happening, Michael. I'm driving. 😁😀 https://t.co/Xb0plNFKaq
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) August 21, 2020
Since Mario won the 1969 Indy 500, no member of the Andretti family has returned to Victory Lane in one of the greatest motor sports events in the world. Michael had 42 wins in his career behind the wheel, but never won the Indy 500, despite leading 431 total laps — more than any other Indy 500 participant without ultimately winning it.
Marco nearly won the 2006 Indy 500 as 19-year-old rookie, but at the last second, Sam Hornish Jr. passed him and took the checkered flag. Most recently, he had a poor performance in the 2019 Indy 500 and finished 26th.
[jwplayer 7rJ0e5p1-q2aasYxh]
[vertical-gallery id=942469]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1168941]