I still get it every time I get into a race car," explained Andretti in What's It Like Out There. "The first time I fired up a car, felt the engine shudder and the wheel come to life in my hands, I was hooked. At age 13 the boys got their first jobs parking cars for a garage. It was there that Mario and Aldo began driving their uncle's motorcycle and wooden derby car. The Andrettis relocated to a refugee camp in Lucca, Italy. In 1948 the Andrettis and many other Italian families left their homes on the Istrian Peninsula and moved to other parts of Italy. As part of the surrender agreement, the Istrian Peninsula was given to Yugoslavia. Italy had joined the Axis nations of Germany and Japan and was defeated by the Allied forces.
They were a well off family in this small town on the Istrian Peninsula until World War II broke out in Europe. His father, Alvise Luigi (known as "Gigi") was a farm administrator, while his mother, Rina, raised Mario, his twin brother Aldo, and his older sister Anna Maria. Mario Gabriele Andretti was born on Februin Montona, Italy (currently Montovun, Croatia). This kind of versatility has put Andretti into a class by himself. Andretti has also won races on the sprint, midget, and Formula One circuits. In addition to a remarkable career with Championship cars, Andretti had distinguished himself as a driver who can win on any kind of track and in any kind of car. Andretti is the all time record holder for Champion car starts with 407 and he is the only driver to ever win Championship car races in four decades. He is also the all time leader of Championship car pole position wins with 67 and the all time lap leader with 7,587 laps.
He won a total of 52 Championship car races, including the prestigious Indianapolis 500 in 1969. Andretti earned his reputation with Championship cars. Mario Andretti was named Driver of the Century for his distinguished racing career that spanned five decades.
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