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When was Mario Andretti born
He was born in Motovun,Croatia in February 28,1940 with his twin brother Aldo to Italian parents, Luigi Andretti, a farm manager, and Rina. -
His family moves to the US
The Andrettis quickly left, finding safety in a refugee camp, where they lived for seven years beginning in 1948. In 1955 the Andrettis secured a visa to the United States and in June of that year settled into their new home as best they could in Nazareth, Pennsylvannia. Nobody in the family spoke English and they had just $125 to their name. -
His family relocates to a refugee camp in Lucca,in WW2
The Andrettis wound up in Lucca in Italy's Tuscany region, about an hour from Florence. "We were basically refugees in our own country," Andretti said. "We were stripped of everything because we sacrificed to maintain Italian citizenship.But nobody understood us because nobody talked about it. "The Andrettis' seven-and-a-half-year saga in the refugee camp in Lucca ended after a three-year wait for visas. -
Mario Andretti begins driving at the Nazareth Speedway
Andretti's family emigrated from Italy to the Nazareth area in 1955 and he began racing in 1959, starting at the Nazareth Fairgrounds, which had a dirt horse racing track, later used for auto racing -
Mario Andretti Marries Dee Ann Hoch
During the peak of his racing career, Andretti became a family man. He married his English tutor, Dee Ann Hoch, on November 25, 1961. Their first child, Michael, was born in 1962, followed by Jeff in 1964, and Barbara Dee in 1969. The Andretti children were exposed to racing from an early age and were subjected to the lifestyle imposed by such a career. -
Wins first United States Auto Club Championship race in Salem, Indiana
In April of 1964 Andretti entered his first USAC Championship race and in October of the same year he won his first USAC victory in Salem, Indiana. In 1965 Andretti became the lead driver for the Dean Van Lines team, which was owned by Al Dean. In this position, Andretti earned $5,000 a year plus 40 percent of his winnings. Andretti was now a full-time professional driver. -
Becomes United States citizen
In 1964, the same year he officially became an American citizen, Andretti became a member of the U.S. Auto Club and started competing in some of the country's best races. -
Begins driving for Dean Van Lines
In 1965 Andretti became the lead driver for the Dean Van Lines team, which was owned by Al Dean. In particular, 1965 was the first year that Andretti entered the Indianapolis 500. -
Daughter Barbara Dee is born and their older pig
Martini. He lived to be 17 years and 10 months. We grew up together. He was a pig. I didn't want a pig. But my daughter Barbie calls Mother. There was a homeless pig. I said no. "No pig." And she called back to say they'd found it a home. But my daughter has it in her mind now, and three months later I open the door to a delivery man and he's delivering a pig. Martini was so smart. We did everything together. I was devastated when we lost him. -
Wins first Formula One race
Andretti was already a paid-up star when he made his F1 debut at Watkins Glen in 1968, raising eyebrows by putting his Lotus on pole position. His F1 career was piecemeal in the first half of the 1970s - although he did win the South African Grand Prix for Ferrari in 1971 - before throwing his lot in with the Parnelli team in 1974-1975. -
Wins final Indy car race
Yesterday marked the 40th anniversary of Andretti's victory in the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Long Beach, and it was 23 years ago today that Mario took victory in the Valvoline 200 at Phoenix International Raceway. It was the 52nd and last IndyCar win of his illustrious career.
http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/139306-24-years-ago-today-mario-andretti-s-final-indycar-win -
What is he doing today?
Mario retired from active driving at the end of 1994. Now a successful businessman off the track, he serves as a spokesman, associate, and friend to top executives around the world.
http://www.marioandretti.com/
