Mario Andretti

Mario Andretti Biography

Mario Andretti was born in Montona, Italy, on February 28, 1940, just three months before Mussolini worked up the courage to throw in his lot with Hitler, and thrust Italy into World War II. At the cessation of hostilities the Andrettis found that their homeland was destined to become part of post-war Yugoslavia. They became refugees from Communism, spending several years in a camp at Tuscani. In 1954 Mario’s interest in motor racing was quickened by a visit to Monza to see the great Ascari compete in the Italian Grand Prix. The following year his family emigrated to the United States, making their new home in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

When Mario started racing on dirt ovals around Nazareth in 1959 in an old Hudson, he was not the only racing Andretti. His twin brother, Aldo, competed on the same tracks indeed in the same car.