A Great Race: IndyCar Drivers Pay Tribute to Marco Andretti as He Announces an Emotional Retirement from the Indy 500 and Racing, Leaving Fans Sad and Proud of Him After Two Decades of Service
In the high-octane world of open-wheel racing, where legacies are etched in the roar of engines and the blur of checkered flags, few announcements carry the weight of Marco Andretti’s decision to retire. On October 29, 2025, the 38-year-old grandson of motorsport icon Mario Andretti shared a poignant message on social media, bidding farewell to a 20-year career in IndyCar and the Indianapolis 500 that defined his life behind the wheel. “Today, I am announcing my retirement from motor racing and the Indianapolis 500,” he wrote, his words a mix of reflection and resolve. That totals 20 starts at the Speedway, which I feel so fortunate to be able to say. That is ranked 12th all-time. Not bad for a 38-year-old.”
Andretti’s journey began in 2006, a rookie thrust into the spotlight at the crown jewel of American motorsport. At just 19, he stunned the field by leading late in his debut Indy 500, passing his own father, Michael Andretti, in a family drama that captivated millions. Only to be overtaken in the final yards by Sam Hornish Jr. in one of the closest finishes in race history—a .0635-second heartbreaker that earned him Rookie of the Year honors but left an indelible scar. It was the first of many near-misses for the third-generation Andretti, whose family has been synonymous with speed since Mario’s 1978 victory at the Brickyard. Together, Mario, Michael, and Marco amassed 65 combined starts at Indianapolis, a dynasty built on grit and glory.
Over two decades, Andretti logged 253 IndyCar starts, securing two victories—his first at Sonoma Raceway in 2006 and another at Iowa Speedway in 2011—along with 20 podiums and six poles. His best championship finish was fifth in 2013, a season marked by consistent contention. Yet it was the Indy 500 where his story shone brightest, with three third-place finishes in 2007, 2014, and 2016, and a pole in 2020 amid the empty grandstands of the pandemic era. “I had six very legitimate shots at victory with Andretti Autosport and ended up with 20% top-3 finishes at the Speedway,” he reflected. “It feels accomplishing to me to be able to retire having more podium finishes than my father Michael and the same as my grandfather Mario at the biggest race in the world.”
The “Andretti Curse”—the family’s inability to win the 500 as drivers despite Mario’s triumph—remains unbroken, a bittersweet footnote to Marco’s tenure. He spoke of the race’s extremes: the pressure of a dramatic Bump Day in 2011, where he fought for a qualifying spot, to the triumph of that 2020 pole. “I will never forget the rare circumstance of getting to race my dad in the closing laps for the win there,” he said. “That is what the Indianapolis 500 produces: extremes on both ends. That is why I love and appreciate it so much.” Scaling back to Indy 500-only runs from 2021 onward allowed him to explore NASCAR and other series, but the Brickyard always called him back.
As news spread, the paddock erupted in tributes, a chorus of admiration from peers who raced alongside him through triumphs and trials. Helio Castroneves, the four-time Indy 500 winner and fellow Andretti Autosport alum, called it “the end of an era, but what a ride.” In a video message, Castroneves hugged a replica Borg-Warner Trophy, joking, “Marco, you almost made me share the milk with you too many times. Your passion, your fight—it’s what made every lap special. Enjoy the stands, brother; you’ve earned it.” Scott Dixon, the stoic six-time IndyCar champion, posted a simple photo of their side-by-side duel at Road America: “Raced you hard, respected you more. Congrats on a hell of a career, Marco. The 500 won’t be the same without you pushing the limit.” Will Power, the 2024 series titlist, echoed the sentiment on X: “Mate, from that ’06 heartbreak to your poles and podiums, you embodied the spirit of Indy. Proud to have shared the track. Raise a glass to you.”
Even rivals joined the fray. Josef Newgarden, who denied Andretti a podium in recent years, shared, “Marco’s the guy who made you earn every point. Class act, fierce competitor. Retirement suits warriors like you—go make more memories off-track.” Alexander Rossi, the 2016 Indy 500 victor, added a personal touch: “We bumped wheels more times than I can count, but your heart for this sport? Unmatched. Thanks for the battles, friend.” The outpouring extended to legends like Mario Andretti himself, who reposted his grandson’s announcement with: “Blood of my blood, you carried the name with honor. I’m bursting with pride.” Michael Andretti, ever the patriarch, simply wrote: “My son, my rival, my hero. Love you forever.”
Fans, too, mourned the man who became their everyman’s racer—a Pennsylvania kid from the Lehigh Valley who graduated from Notre Dame-Green Pond High School and chased dreams under immense pressure. Social media flooded with memories: one devotee recalled tailgating since 2006, another shared a faded ticket stub from that rookie run. “Sad to see the green No. 98 go quiet, but damn proud of the legacy,” read a common refrain. The announcement hit harder knowing it closes the Andretti chapter at Indy for the first time since 2005; no family member will qualify for the 2026 field, the first gap in two decades.
Yet amid the sadness, Andretti’s words radiate peace. After 30 years in the sport, he’s ready for fatherhood to his young daughter, Miura—”prioritizing most of my time on being a great father”—and ventures beyond the racetrack, including a forthcoming memoir titled Defending the Dynasty. “I am very much at peace with the next chapter in my life,” he assured. “Competing at the top level of North American motorsport is and has been an honor for me, even in the tough times. That is where I can look back and say I have made my best progress in life as a man.” He thanked those who doubted him, crediting them for forging resilience: “Learning to navigate very difficult dynamics… made me realize that my opinion of myself is the one that should matter the most.”
In retirement, Marco Andretti leaves not just statistics, but a blueprint for grace under fire. IndyCar loses a driver who turned family pressure into fuel, heartbreak into hustle. As the series hurtles toward its 109th Indy 500, the Brickyard will echo a little quieter without him. But for two decades, he raced not just for victory, but for the sheer thrill of the chase—a great race, indeed, run with heart and handed down like a well-worn helmet. Fans may weep for what’s lost, but they’ll cheer the man who, in stepping away, solidified his place among the immortals.
