IMS reminisces Lady Gaga and Mario Andretti’s Indy 500 tribute to Pearl Harbor survivors amid ‘83rd’ anniversary of the tragedy

On December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, the official Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) X account recalled IndyCar legend Mario Andretti and Pop Icon Lady Gaga's touching tribute to the survivors during the 2016 Indy 500. Eight Pearl Harbor survivors were honored pre-race in a ceremony organized by their children.

Ahead of the iconic race's 100th running, Lady Gaga joined Mario Andretti's two-seater for a parade lap for the inaugural event of the Indy Racing Experience (IRE) "200 MPH Club". The duo also interacted and shared some light moments with the war veterans before the race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway began.

On the 83rd anniversary of the war tragedy, IMS posted two photos of Gaga and Andretti's wholesome interactions with them on X (formerly Twitter). The caption read:

"83 years later, we remember the lives lost on this day at Pearl Harbor. 🇺🇸 Prior to the 100th Running of the #Indy500, @MarioAndretti and @ladygaga spent time with survivors who attended the race."

The 13-time Grammy winner's participation in the event was a surprise twist. She subbed in for country star Keith Urban after a back injury forced a last-moment cancellation. Mario Andretti, who was made aware of this switch late, jokingly said (via IndyStar):

"She’s going to distract me quite a bit, actually. I hope I can just look ahead while I’m driving."

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Mario Andretti was "blown away" by Lady Gaga's delightful attitude towards the event and her fans

Lady Gaga at the 100th Indianapolis 500 in 2016 - Source: Getty

Mario Andretti discussed his experience meeting Lady Gaga at the 2016 Indy 500 for the first time and noted her excitement towards an event where her involvement wasn't planned. Gaga attended the race with her then-fiancee Taylor Kinney, an American actor and model. A month after the race, when Forbes questioned Andretti about his famous 'ride-along passenger', he replied:

"Fantastic. She was so easy to get on with, genuinely excited. I was pleased and surprised at how wonderful she was. She absolutely is a nice person with a capital “N.” [Grandson] Marco has known her in the past, and told us, ‘She’s really a cool chick.’ The way she behaved with the fans coming to her – she was so appeasing. I was blown away."

Lady Gaga is one of the most famous singer-actors on the globe. The 'A Star is Born' actor is known for her unconventionality in her fashion sense and her work. Despite the fame, Gaga has remained 'down to earth' and family-oriented, as she told Today in 2011:

"Nothing has changed since I have become a star. I am a real family girl. When it comes to love and loyalty, I am very old-fashioned. And I am quite down-to-earth for such an eccentric person."

The Oscar-nominated star's latest projects were met with mixed reviews. While 'Joker: Folie à Deux', co-starring her and Joaquin Phoenix failed to impress at the box office, her single with Bruno Mars 'Die With a Smile', became a global hit.

In November 2024, Mario Andretti joined the General Motors-backed Cadillac F1 team in an advisory role. The team will join the F1 grid in 2026 as the sport's 11th team.