NASCAR legend Mario Andretti tells Dale Earnhardt Jr. about the one time he took everyone else’s advice and it backfired

Veteran motorsport icon Mario Andretti joined Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a recent episode of the latter's podcast, unraveling several interesting racing anecdotes from the time when Andretti was in his prime. One of those stories was about how paying heed to the advice of his engine guys ended his day.

Mario Andretti is a multiple USAC champion and a two-time sports-car Grand Prix of Endurance race winner. His achievements in the world of stock cars are highlighted by his victory at the famed Daytona 500 back in 1967. Andretti also emerged victorious in the 1969 Indianapolis 500 and thereby had set the then-record speed of 156.867 miles per hour.

Recalling an encounter with the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Sr. during the 1987 Indy 500, Andretti told Dale Earnhardt Jr. that he shouldn't have listened to the engineers on his team who would always ask him to lower the revs on the engine of his number 5 Lola Chevy.

"In 1987, I had a car that probably the only time that I felt ever going to a race, 'Today they have to beat me.' We were in a sweet spot," Andretti said. "The engine guys always said, 'Keep the revs down.'"

Unfortunately, that advice kept Andretti from adding to his 1969 Indy 500 victory. Andretti started slowing down on lap 175 when he was an entire lap ahead of Roberto Guerrero and almost a couple of laps ahead of Unser Sr. who was running third. The cause for Andretti slowing down was later found to be a valve train issue.

"I got a lap and a half lead on Al Unser but unbeknownst to me, I was driving in a bad harmonic range of the engine. Resonating in my ear was always 'keep the revs down'. Well, I was keeping the revs down and then I dropped a valve with 23 laps to go. Found out later, it would've run the engine 400 revs more I would have probably made it to 500 miles," he added laughing.

In over 50 years of racing, Andretti has competed in 879 races and has amassed 111 wins, besides 109 poles. His array of accolades brought him the prestigious title of 'Driver of the Century' by both the Associated Press and the Racer Magazine.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. once received an IndyCar lesson from Mario Andretti

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has several top 5s and top 10s from the 17 starts he made in the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, driving an IndyCar and a NASCAR car can be poles apart. Therefore, IndyCar legend Andretti had some advice for Junior back in 2019.

The two drivers shook hands before taking a spin around the 2.5-mile racetrack. When Junior asked for pointers, Andretti referred to the gas pedal and said,

"Just stand on it. Just stand on it and steer!"

"That's right, I can do that," replied Dale Jr.

However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. did not drive that day. Nevertheless, he had his share of fun from the backseat of Andretti's ride.

"Nothing to hold on to. Unbelievable how much the wind moves your helmet around. Can't believe I'm driving with a legend," Junior had exclaimed.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired from full-time racing in 2017. However, from 2018 to 2022, he has made at least one start a year in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Last year, he competed in two races. The Hall of Famer has already announced that he will be taking part in the Food City 300 this year.