Texaco/Havoline CART History
Mario Andretti
 Named “Driver of the Century” for his legendary exploits across the auto racing spectrum, Mario Andretti developed his love for the sport while a child growing up in the Italian hilltown of Montona at the end of World War II. In 1945, at the age of five, he and his twin brother Aldo were already racing their hand-crafted wooden cars through the steep streets of their Tuscan hometown. And one of his fondest childhood memories was bicycling to the edge of Florence to watch a stretch of the long-distance Mille Miglia road race.
His official racing career began at age 13 when he first piloted a Formula Junior car in Ancona, Italy. The family’s move to the United States in 1955 deferred his dream of racing in Formula One events in Europe. He soon made up for this loss.
A year after entering his first Indy Car event in Trenton, N.J. in 1964, Mario finished third in the Indianapolis 500 and was named Indy Rookie of the Year. He went on that year to win the first of his four Champ Car championships between 1965 and 1984. The only competitor to win Driver-of-the-Year Awards in three different decades (the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s), he actually captured Champ Car victories in four separate decades. He was one of only three drivers in Champ Car history to win on paved ovals, road courses and dirt tracks in a single season -- a feat he accomplished in 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969.
Beginning in 1967, Mario also branched out to test his skill across the racing spectrum. For several years, he juggled Champ Car, Formula One, Formula 5000 and Can-Am racing. He won NASCAR’s Daytona 500 in 1967.
He entered his first Formula One event in 1968 at Watkins Glen, N.Y., setting a track record in taking the pole, but retiring early with clutch trouble. His first win on the Formula One circuit came in 1971 in South Africa. Winner of 12 Formula One races throughout the world, his F1 career was capped when he captured the World Driving Championship in 1978. His victory that season at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza played out his childhood dream. He also won several Formula 5000 races and finished second in the Formula 5000 series in 1973 and 1974.
In 1983, Mario became the first driver for the fledgling Newman/Haas Racing team and brought them their first championship just a year later. In 1989, when Texaco/Havoline became co-sponsors of the team with Kmart, Mario was joined by his son and teammate Michael. Together, they made history as the first father and son team to compete in both International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and Champ Car racing.
With the Newman/Haas Racing team for 12 consecutive seasons before he retired in 1994, Mario logged a record of 18 victories, 26 pole positions and numerous track records during qualifying and in races. Among his highlights was his 100th major career victory at Phoenix International Raceway in 1993.
Since his retirement, he has pursued an active career as entrepreneur, owner of a winery in Napa Valley, Calif., and spokesperson for Havoline Racing.
Bravo, Mario!
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