By Dick Jordan
John Andretti, USAC’s 1983 Indianapolis Speedrome Midget Champion, returns to the Speedrome May 26 as honorary grand marshall as USAC and the Speedrome celebrate his contributions to the sport.
Fresh from a ninth-place finish in the IZOD IndyCar Series event at Kansas Speedway, the 10-time Indianapolis starter will be the first of several former Speedrome Champions highlighted during this year’s USAC Regional Series events at the historic oval which has hosted more USAC races than any other track.
Andretti, the son of former USAC racer Aldo Andretti and nephew of 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti, is one of three Andrettis to claim USAC driving championships. Mario won Indy Car titles in 1965, 1966 and 1969, plus the 1974 USAC Championship Dirt Car crown and cousin Jeff won USAC’s Pro-Ford title in 1983.
Andretti owns four Speedrome feature victories. His Indianapolis 500 career includes a fifth-place in 1991, an eighth in 1992 and 10ths in 1993 and 1994. He is entered in the 2010 Indianapolis 500
Under CART sanction, Andretti won the 1991 race at Surfers Paradise, Australia. In 1988 he won the CART “Rookie of the Year” honors. John also had measured success in his forays into the IMSA Sports Car ranks and in 1993 ventured into Top Fuel dragster competition, reaching a top speed of 299 mph! In 1994 he became the first driver to attempt to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the 600-mile NASCAR race at Charlotte, N.C. in the same day! In 1997 he won a 400-mile NASCAR race at Daytona Beach, Fla. and added a NASCAR win at Martinsville, Va. In 1999.
In 1991 he, uncle Mario and cousin Michael became the first family in motorsports history to finish 1-2-3 in a major auto race in the 200-mile Indy Car race at State Fair Park in Milwaukee, Wisc. Michael won, John was second and Mario was third.
For the 2010 Indianapolis 500 Andretti is teamed with Richard Petty and Window World and is backed by Andretti Autosport, owned by his cousin Michael.
The May 26 USAC program at the Indianapolis Speedrome includes the Regional Midgets, Midwest Ford Focus Midgets, Young Guns and Mopar .25 Midgets.