Candidates
Michael Andretti
Michael Andretti, son of racing legend Mario Andretti, has the third most wins of any driver in IndyCar history with 42 victories, and he led 6,702 Indy car laps during his career. Currently, Andretti is the Chairman, President and CEO of Andretti Autosport and runs two full-time driver programs in the IndyCar series, where he has been equally successful as an owner - he is the most winning team owner in IndyCar history.
As one of the most well-known racing personalities in the United States, Andretti stepped out of the race car on a full-time basis in 2003 as CART's most successful driver. After a two-year absence and feeling the itch to drive again, he returned to the cockpit to drive in the Indianapolis 500 in 2006. Andretti found himself leading "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" with as little as three laps remaining and ultimately finished third, proving he is still one of the elite drivers in the world. Andretti returned to the cockpit one more time in 2007 and led one lap on his way to a 13th place finish in the final race of his career.
With his full-time driving career behind him, Andretti continues to set the standard in the racing industry, albeit from behind the pit wall. Andretti has two sons (Marco and Lucca) and a daughter (Marissa), and resides in Indianapolis with his wife Jodi.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 1991 CART PPG Indy Car World Series champion
- Five-time CART championship runner-up
- Ranks #3 all-time in Indy car wins (42)
- 32 career pole positions
- Led 6,692 laps in 330 career starts
- Scored at least one win in 15 consecutive seasons
- Voted 2001 CART Most Popular Driver
