Mario Andretti hints that the Andretti team could be headed to NASCAR.
When Mario Andretti speaks, race fans listen. This time, the 84-year-old racing great may have hinted to the Andretti family’s future in the NASCAR Cup Series.
On the “Dale Jr. Download” podcast, Andretti was asked about his involvement in racing after leaving the cockpit, which includes helping his son with his racing endeavors. Michael Andretti, Mario’s son, runs Andretti Autosport in the NTT IndyCar Series, where the team has won four IndyCar championships and five Indianapolis 500 triumphs.
Michael Andretti was denied the right to field a Formula One team earlier this year, sparking widespread outrage among fans. It appears that Andretti is prepared to enter the NASCAR Cup Series.
“With Michael being involved in every aspect of our sport, that gives me reason to find a home no matter where I go,” Mario Andretti stated. “Pretty soon, it’s going to be a home even in Cup, and I hope I’m still alive for that.”
Last summer, Michael Andretti appeared to be interested in Andretti Autosport joining the NASCAR Cup Series. Gainbridge, one of the team’s primary sponsors, has become a crucial partner for Spire Motorsports, which has three NASCAR Cup Series entries.
Marco Andretti, Michael Andretti’s son, will compete in three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races for Spire Motorsports in 2023, with Gainbridge providing sponsorship. If Michael Andretti’s desire to field a NASCAR team persists, it appears that both family and sponsorship ties have already been established.
If Andretti Autosport ventured into NASCAR, they would most certainly be supported by a number of major partners and contributors. While the Andretti name is synonymous with open-wheel racing, particularly IndyCar, Mario Andretti won the 1967 Daytona 500, and his nephew, John, won two NASCAR Cup Series races.
Marco Andretti has raced in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and the ARCA Menards Series, with eight starts in total. Marco is also the 2022 Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) champion, beating out Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman by two points.
While Mario Andretti’s comments on the “Dale Jr. Download” do not provide strong evidence that he would soon join NASCAR, the patriarch of motor racing rarely spreads crazy rumors. Don’t be surprised if an Andretti team appears in the near future, and don’t be astonished if they race to Victory Lane quickly.
