Mario Andretti. Thirteen letters that
says all that needs to be said. There doesn't need an introduction. There doesn't need an explanation. The name says it all.
Back in his hay days everyone knew his
background, however as he's been retired for... a really long time
and today, everyone knows his name, even if they are not race fans.
His last Indy Car race was in 1982! After all, he's won the Indy 500,
The Daytona 500, The World Driving Championship, and well over 100
sanctioned races, plus many more that were not sanctioned events.
Today, if you tell someone that, they will nod and say “WOW!” But
on the same token, they pretty much expect something like that on
account of his reputation for being a great race driver and a world
figure.
(Winning the World Driving Championship)
However, the younger generation today
know him as a great American racing driver. What many younger fans
today don't realize is that Mario Andretti is a true reflection of
the American Dream.
(racing with teammate and son, Michael)
To start with, Mario Andretti is an
immigrant.
He was born in Montona, Italy in 1940.
After WW II his town was annexed to Yugoslavia and along with his
parents, older sister, and twin brother, they moved and lived in a
refugee camp in Lucca, Italy. There they lived in a building with
several other families with hanging sheets for walls. When he was
fourteen the Andretti family emigrated to the U.S. He became a U.S.
Citizen in 1966.
Mario Andretti is genuinely a very,
very, nice man. His spirituality also is something that he takes quite
seriously.
My two biggest Mario moments were back
when he clinched the World Championship in Italy, the next race was
The Grand Prix of the United States at Watkin's Glen, New York. I met
him in the paddock the day before the race and shook his hand,
thanking him for giving The United States of America a World
Champion. Thanking Mario meant something to him. Of course I wasn't the only one, no doubt. I think for him, the appreciation he had for coming to this country, he saw being returned. I was so glad I did that.
The next big moment was last Christmas.
Mario suggested his followers post a picture of their Christmas
Trees, which he did likewise. I posted a picture of our tree and he
replied something like “Merry Christmas to Key West!” I was
completely thrilled! That made my month!
NBC Sports made a four part YouTube
series on Mario that they just released before The Indy 500, which
has been traditionally held on Memorial Day weekend, for over
one-hundred years. Now, you'll find thousands and thousands of videos
of Mario behind the wheel in a race. Here however, you'll find Mario
talking about his childhood in Montona, Italy, his family life as a
child, his family living as refugees in Lucca, Italy, complete with
all the adventures with his twin brother, Aldo, sailing to America, a
country where he didn't even speak the language. He bravely speaks of
his wife Dee Ann, (and who also taught him English) to whom he was
married from 1961 to her passing last year (deepest sympathies,
Mario), plus his children, grand-children, nephews and much, much
more.
It must be noted that NBC Sports did
just a fabulous, fabulous job on their special! The four installments
are below. As I say, you'll see what a nice, good, and inspirational
man Mario is. Put aside his success, as a human being he'll leave you
without words.
Thank you Mario and thank you NBC
Sports
Enjoy!
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
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