Marco Andretti Retires From The Indianapolis 500 And From Racing

For nearly every year since Mario Andretti was the 1965 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, there has been an Andretti competing in the Indianapolis 500. That has come to an end as Marco Andretti announced on Wednesday, October 29 that he is retiring from racing and will not compete in the 110^th Indianapolis 500 in 2026.

The 38-year-old made the announcement around 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time via a post on social media.

“To my family, friends, teams, sponsors and fans who have 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,” Andretti wrote. “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.

“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.”

Marco Andretti Continued The Andretti Legacy At The Indianapolis 500

He is also the last Andretti in the biggest race in the world, covering a span of 60 years that was interrupted just four years with Michael’s absence from 1996 to 2000.

A fan favorite, Andretti won the pole for the 104^th Indianapolis 500 in 2020, but there were no fans in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway stands to cheer his accomplishment. That year’s Indy 500 was during the height of the COVID-19 shutdown. The date was moved to August from its traditional Memorial Day Weekend date and fans were not allowed to attend during the shutdown.

Andretti made 20 starts at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, dating back to when he was just 19. In 2006, he was named the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year as well as overall Rookie of the Year for the IndyCar Series.

His grandfather was the 1965 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year and his father was a rookie in the 1983, but the Rookie of the Year Award went to pole winner Teo Fabi.

Michael would race at the Indy 500 every year except for 1993 when he was in Formula One, and 1996 to 2000 when he was competing in the CART Series and chose not to participate at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

That created a four-year gap before Michael returned the Andretti name to the Indianapolis 500 starting lineup in 2001.

“I am proud of my overall stats at the Indy 500,” Marco Andretti said. “I had six very legitimate shots at victory with Andretti Autosport and ended up with 20 percent top 3 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.

“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. That is what the Indianapolis 500 produces: extremes on both ends. That is why I love and appreciate it so much.

“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.”

Andretti indicated he is writing a memoir about his life called, “Defending the Dynasty.” He said details on that will come out soon.

His Indianapolis 500 career spanned from 2006 to 2025. He competed in 20 Indy 500s.

“Competing at the top level of North American motorsport is and has been an honor for me, even in the tough times,” Andretti said. “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.

“Lastly, a special thank-you to a lot of the people I respect in motor racing for the kind words about my driving, work ethic, and true character.”

Marco Andretti’s Near Indy 500 Win As A Rookie In 2006

As a rookie in the 2006 Indianapolis 500, Marco was in the lead coming out of the final turn on the final lap heading to the checkered flag. That was before Team Penske driver Sam Hornish found an unbelievable burst of speed and momentum and rocketed past Andretti just a few hundred yards from the checkered flag to win the race.

Marco Andretti joined his grandfather as an Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year with his incredible debut, continuing a family tradition and legacy.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske paid tribute to Andretti earlier this year when the driver announced he would compete in another Indianapolis 500.

“It was always great to see your entry coming into the Indianapolis 500,” Penske said earlier this year. “I’ve known the Andretti family all the way back to when I was supposed to take a test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, couldn’t do it and Mario came in. That began the legacy the Andretti name has had for so many years.

“You’ve been a great driver. I remember 2006 when Sam Hornish and you had that amazing finish. I know that probably sticks in your craw that it wasn’t your race.

“All the best and a terrific accomplishment on the last three decades.”

Marco Andretti Assesses The End Of A Family Racing Tradition In The Indy 500

Marco Andretti understands that without any future Andretti’s in racing, the end of this tremendous legacy in the Indy 500 is at an end.

“It’s going to be a bummer when we end up not running anymore,” Marco admitted. “But who knows? Maybe my daughter will be the best woman to ever do it at Indianapolis.

“There’s going to be a while until that’s the case, for sure.”

It will be a long time before Marco Andretti’s daughter Miura Micah Andretti can display if she is a racer – she was born on September 17, 2024.