It was the perfect backdrop to set things in motion for the twins and put Mario on his winning road to the elite. The following year, as their family settled into Nazareth, Pennsylvania, the boys were thrilled to discover a race track near their home, a half-mile oval used by modified stock cars. It was to be a stirring and inspiring experience for the youngsters as they rooted for their idol, the great Alberto Ascari. In 1954, Mario and twin brother Aldo found their way to Monza to watch the Italian Grand Prix.

The Andretti family luckily survived the shattering afflictions of the time only to become refugees from Communism, spending several years in a camp in Tuscany as they patiently waited to immigrate to the United States. Mario was born in the little town of Montona, Italy, on February 28, 1940, just a few months before the country was thrust into war. This outstanding record elevated Mario Andretti to iconic status in racing history, making him an instantly recognizable figure throughout the world, as well as one of the most sought after and respected personalities in motorsport.

More importantly, as he took the checkered flag 111 times during a career that spanned four decades, he drove with joy and passion. Finally, he is also the second American to win the Formula 1 World Championship. He achieved success at Indianapolis and at the Daytona 500, took top spoils at the Daytona and Sebring endurance events, conquering several championships and titles along the way. He triumphed on dirt tracks, speedways, clockwise and counter clockwise courses, and on the mighty climb to Pikes Peak. On the other hand, assessing this living legend’s legacy is easy.Īs the greatest all-around driver in the history of the sport, Mario Andretti won in midgets, sprint cars, stock cars, sports cars, Indy cars and Grand Prix machines. It would probably be easier to sum up the Old Testament on the back of a postcard than to write a one page summary of Mario Andretti’s extraordinary achievements in motor racing.

More than two decades of hard work and sweat later, Andretti would be crowned the 1978 Formula One World Champion at that very same track. Mario Andretti’s love of racing began as a young boy while watching the 1954 Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Italy. The following is an excerpt from the book, The American Legacy in Formula 1, by Phillip van Osten.

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