(NASCAR image)Īndretti is considered by many to be the greatest driver in the history of motorsports, having been named Co-Driver of Century by the Associated Press in 1999. “His victory here in 1967 has grown to legendary status and is truly one of the most significant moments in the history of the speedway and our community.” Mario Andretti celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the 1967 Daytona 500.

“Mario is part of an exclusive club of champions at the ‘World Center of Racing’ and arguably has the most recognizable name in the entire history of auto racing.” “It’s an honor to host Mario Andretti for the DAYTONA 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said. 11 Holman-Moody Ford will be on display on DAYTONA 500 Weekend in the UNOH Fanzone. In addition, a replica of Andretti’s 1967 DAYTONA 500-winning No. On the 50th anniversary of his shock victory in NASCAR’s centerpiece event, Mario Andretti will serve as honorary race official for the season-opening race of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup. “We’re all one, big happy family.Andretti and Daytona International Speedway will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of his epic 1967 DAYTONA 500 triumph throughout Speedweeks 2017.Īs part of his Honorary Race Official duties for “The Great American Race,” Andretti will be introduced at the drivers’ meeting, participate in pre-race ceremonies, ride in one of the parade cars and take part in question-and-answer sessions in fan hospitality areas and the UNOH Fanzone. “We all know how versatile Kyle can be,” Andretti said.

“It was good for all of us.”Īndretti liked that seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson tried his hand at the NTT Ind圜ar Series in recent years.Īndretti thinks Larson has the skills to do as well at the Indy 500 has he has in NASCAR, where he’s won 21 times including the series title in 2021. No driver has attempted the Memorial Day double of racing 500 miles at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and following that up with 600 miles at Charlotte Motor Speedway since Kurt Busch in 2014.īusch finished sixth at the Indy 500, but came up short of finishing the 1,100 miles with a blown engine in the NASCAR race.Īndretti, who ran 14 NASCAR races, recalled chatting with stockcar greats like the the Allison brothers, Donnie and Bobby, and Cale Yarborough about doing more open-wheel events.Īndretti remembered how drivers known for Indy racing like four-time 500 winner A.J. He is one of only two drivers to have won races in Formula One, Ind圜ar, World Sportscar Championship, and NASCAR (the other being Dan Gurney).

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