Marco Andretti Announces Retirement as Driver

Popular Indianapolis 500 and INDYCAR SERIES veteran Marco Andretti announced his retirement as a driver Oct. 29.

Andretti, 38, the respective grandson and son of INDYCAR SERIES legends Mario Andretti and Michael Andretti, first competed full time in the INDYCAR SERIES in 2006. He drove his entire career for teams owned by his father, recording two victories in 253 starts. He raced full time in the series from 2006-20, running only the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge from 2021-25.

“To my family, friends, teams, sponsors and fans who have genuinely supported me for the last 30 years in motorsports, I want to thank you for allowing me the privilege to continue our family’s passion on the racetrack,” Andretti said in an Instagram post. “I have had some really fun times behind the wheel in a lot of different types of racing cars – a lot of great memories, as well, mostly at the Indy 500.

Andretti won INDYCAR SERIES races in 2006 at Sonoma Raceway and 2011 at Iowa Speedway (photo, above), but he arguably produced his best performances on the sport’s biggest stage, the Indianapolis 500.

As a 19-year-old “500” rookie in 2006, Andretti electrified the crowd by leading the race at the white flag, seemingly headed for the first win in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” for his family since Mario Andretti’s sole victory in 1969.

But Sam Hornish Jr. produced one of the most stirring final-lap drives in the long history of the race to pass Andretti for the win just a few hundred yards before the Yard of Bricks start-finish line, earning the victory in a Team Penske machine by .0635 of a second (photo, above). That remains the third-closest finish in “500” history.

Andretti was named Rookie of the Year for the race due to that performance, setting the stage for an Indy 500 career that was marked by consistent speed if not a spot on the Borg-Warner Trophy.

The third-generation driver made 20 consecutive career Indianapolis 500 starts between 2006-25, with the runner-up result in 2006 remaining as his best result. He produced eight top-10 finishes in the “500,” including five in the top four.

Andretti also powered to a pole position for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in 2020 (photo, above), a popular jolt for the event during a unique year that included no spectators due to the global pandemic.

“I am proud of my overall stats at the Indy 500,” Andretti said. “I had six very legitimate shots at victory with Andretti Autosport and ended up with 20% top-3 finishes at the Speedway. It feels accomplishing to me to be able to retire having more podium finishes than my father Michael and the same as my grandfather Mario at the biggest race in the world.

“I will never forget the rare circumstance of getting to race my dad in the closing laps for the win there — the pressure of participating in a dramatic Bump Day in 2011 to a pole position in 2020. That is what the Indianapolis 500 produces: extremes on both ends. That is why I love and appreciate it so much.

Andretti said he plans to spend time with his daughter, Miura, and work on his many business ventures. He also said he plans to write a memoir titled “Defending the Dynasty.”

“Competing at the top level of North American motorsport is and has been an honor for me, even in the tough times,” Andretti said. “That is where I can look back and say I have made my best progress in life as a man. Learning to navigate very difficult dynamics at times, and others doubting me, made me realize that my opinion of myself is the one that should matter the most.

“Lastly, a special thank-you to a lot of the people I respect in motor racing for the kind words about my driving, work ethic and true character.”