![]() The Andretti brothers idolized Italian race legend Alberto Ascari, but they had to hide their passion from their father because he disapproved of the sport. I still get it every time I get into a race car," explained Andretti in What's It Like Out There. "The first time I fired up a car, felt the engine shudder and the wheel come to life in my hands, I was hooked. At age 13 the boys got their first jobs parking cars for a garage. It was there that Mario and Aldo began driving their uncle's motorcycle and wooden derby car. The Andrettis relocated to a refugee camp in Lucca, Italy. In 1948 the Andrettis and many other Italian families left their homes on the Istrian Peninsula and moved to other parts of Italy. As part of the surrender agreement, the Istrian Peninsula was given to Yugoslavia. Italy had joined the Axis nations of Germany and Japan and was defeated by the Allied forces. They were a well off family in this small town on the Istrian Peninsula until World War II broke out in Europe. His father, Alvise Luigi (known as "Gigi") was a farm administrator, while his mother, Rina, raised Mario, his twin brother Aldo, and his older sister Anna Maria. Mario Gabriele Andretti was born on Februin Montona, Italy (currently Montovun, Croatia). This kind of versatility has put Andretti into a class by himself. Andretti has also won races on the sprint, midget, and Formula One circuits. In addition to a remarkable career with Championship cars, Andretti had distinguished himself as a driver who can win on any kind of track and in any kind of car. Andretti is the all time record holder for Champion car starts with 407 and he is the only driver to ever win Championship car races in four decades. He is also the all time leader of Championship car pole position wins with 67 and the all time lap leader with 7,587 laps. He won a total of 52 Championship car races, including the prestigious Indianapolis 500 in 1969. Andretti earned his reputation with Championship cars. Palou, Ericsson, Kirkwood and McLaughlin each has won one race.Mario Andretti was named Driver of the Century for his distinguished racing career that spanned five decades. He passed defending race winner and Chip Ganassi Racing driver Marcus Ericsson during a controversial, one-lap shootout after there were three red flags in the final 16 laps. Newgarden became the first Ind圜ar driver to win two races this season at the Indy 500. McLaughlin finished second in qualifying followed by Romain Grosjean of Andretti Autosport, six-time champion Scott Dixon from Chip Ganassi Racing, Newgarden and Ericsson. If we have clean air, we’ll be able to have a good race.” “Hopefully we can try and keep the first position, then try and be up front,” Palou said. Palou won the pole for the first time on a street course, turning a lap at 1 minute, 1.8592 seconds in one of four Hondas that are were among the top six in qualifying. Under 2.2 seconds is the gap if all the cars were on track at once.” “It’s 330 feet between each car is I think what we calculated. “There’s no space,” the Arrow McLaren driver said. The Detroit Grand Prix is trying to make another run at hosting the event downtown - under Ind圜ar owner and Motor City advocate Roger Penske - after having races on a 2.5 mile course in the same area from 1989-91 before moving to Belle Isle. “If it works out, we’re going to look like heroes. “I think it’s innovation,” Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward said. The split pit will position 14 drivers on the left 13 on the right, experimenting with such a setup for the first time in series history. “We’re going to find out if we can get along this weekend,” Indianapolis 500 champion and Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden said. Just to add more intrigue for fans and complexities for teams, the course includes a split pit lane that will force drivers to find a way to peacefully merge back onto the track. The Detroit Grand Prix will make its debut on a 10-turn, 1.7 mile downtown street circuit Sunday. DETROIT (AP) - Ind圜ar is throwing two new wrinkles - and a lot of bumps - at its drivers in the Motor City.
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