IndyCar News: Marco Andretti announces his retirement from racing
In a heartfelt announcement that marks the end of an era, IndyCar veteran Marco Andretti (pictured) has retired from professional racing, bidding farewell to a career defined by family legacy, near-misses, and unyielding passion.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
The 38-year-old, grandson of Formula 1 and IndyCar icon Mario Andretti and son of Michael Andretti, capped his journey with a record 20th start in the 2025 Indianapolis 500—exactly two decades after his electrifying debut, where he famously charged from 20th to second in the final laps, only to fall agonizingly short of victory.
Marco competed full-time in the NTT IndyCar Series from 2006 to 2020, amassing 253 starts. Though he never scaled the same peaks as his forebears—who both conquered Formula 1 and claimed multiple IndyCar championships—he carved out a respectable niche. In his rookie year, he stunned the paddock by winning the penultimate race of the season at Surfers Paradise, earning Rookie of the Year honors.
Over his IndyCar tenure, Andretti secured two victories, 20 podiums, and six poles. His strongest championship showing came in 2013, when he finished fifth overall, bolstered by two podiums and two poles that season. A standout moment arrived in 2020, his last as a full-timer, when he captured the pole for the Indianapolis 500—his final full season yielding a career highlight amid the chaos of the pandemic-shortened campaign.
Beyond open-wheel racing, Andretti dabbled in sports cars and, more recently, made cameo runs in NASCAR’s lower tiers, from the Xfinity Series down to ARCA. Yet, it was the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that loomed largest in his story, a track where family history intertwined with personal triumph and heartbreak.
Reflecting on his path, Andretti expressed deep gratitude in his retirement statement. “To my family, friends, teams, sponsors, and fans who have genuinely supported me for the last 30 years in motorsports, I want to thank you for allowing me the privilege to continue our family’s passion on the racetrack,” he said. “I have had some really fun times behind the wheel in a lot of different types of racing cars — a lot of great memories as well, mostly at the Indy 500.”
He continued, “Today, I am announcing my retirement from motor racing and the Indianapolis 500. 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. I am proud of my overall stats at the Indy 500. I had six very legitimate shots at victory with Andretti Autosport and ended up with 20 percent top-three finishes at the Speedway. 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.”
Andretti’s affection for the Brickyard shone through as he reminisced about its emotional rollercoaster. “I will never forget the rare circumstance of getting to race my dad in the closing laps for the win there — the pressure of participating in a dramatic Bump Day in 2011 to a pole position in 2020,” he said. “That is what the Indianapolis 500 produces: extremes on both ends. That is why I love and appreciate it so much.”
Looking ahead with optimism, Andretti shared his intentions for life off the track. “I am very much at peace with the next chapter in my life after dedicating three decades to the sport. I will be prioritizing most of my time on being a great father to my daughter, Miura, and tending to my other business ventures.”
He also teased a forthcoming memoir, *Defending the Dynasty*, which promises an intimate look at upholding the Andretti name. Wrapping up his reflections, Andretti emphasized the personal growth forged in competition’s fires. “Competing at the top level of North American motorsport is and has been an honor for me, even in the tough times,” he continued. “That is where I can look back and say I have made my best progress in life as a man. Learning to navigate very difficult dynamics at times, and others doubting me, made me realize that my opinion of myself is the one that should matter the most.”
As Marco steps away, the Andretti dynasty endures—not through unchecked dominance, but through resilience and heart. The Speedway, forever etched in his story, now holds one more chapter in its storied lore.