IndyCar legend Michael Andretti remains one of the greatest open-wheel drivers to ever grace the sport. Despite being the son of a motorsports icon like Mario Andretti, Michael managed to carve out his own racing legacy and live up to the bar set by his father.
Despite his feats, however, the one mountain that Michael Andretti could never climb is the Indianapolis 500. Billed "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," Andretti could not emerge victorious in the Indy 500 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway despite having made 16 attempts.
Andretti's Indy 500 journey began in 1984. In an impressive display, the second-generation driver won the Rookie of the Year award, finishing fifth in the race. Since his maiden outing, Andretti went on to come close to victory on more than one occasion, but misfortune marred his opportunities.
Andretti’s closest brush with Indy 500 glory came in 1991, when he engaged in a late-race duel with four-time winner Rick Mears. Despite his best efforts, Andretti finished second, marking his career-best result at the Speedway.
In 1992, Michael Andretti appeared destined for victory. He led 160 of the first 189 laps and boasted a commanding 30-second lead after his final pit stop. However, his car’s fuel pump failed in the final moments of the race, dashing his hopes.
Andretti finished third on multiple occasions, including his second-to-last outing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2006. His final Indy 500 race saw him finish 13th.
Michael Andretti's son Marco to enter 20th Indy 500 with Andretti Global
Michael Andretti's eldest son Marco is gearing up for his 20th Indy 500 appearance in 2025. In an official announcement, it was revealed that the Truck Series driver will remain committed to racing under the Andretti Global banner with sponsorship from MAPEI. MAPEI also sponsored the 37-year-old last year.
This comes after Michael Andretti shifted his focus away from the day-to-day operations of Andretti Global, and handed over decision-making responsibilities to Dan Towriss. Since this move, Andretti Global has found success in Michael's Formula 1 aspirations, and is set to become the 11th team on the grid in 2026.
Like his father, Marco Andretti has also failed to topple the Indy 500 challenge. Marco has finished 5 times inside the top-5 at the Indianapolis 500. His best finish came in his Indy 500 debut back in 2006, where the third-generation driver ended up in second place.
In 2024, Marco Andretti finished 25th at the Indy 500, marking the third-worst result of his career. A single-car crash on Lap 114 ended his race prematurely, leaving him with only his fourth DNF in 19 starts.