Andretti Family

Andretti Family

The Andretti Curse, sometimes referred to as Andretti Luck, and in some rare circles, the Curse of Andy Granatelli's kiss, is in reference to the unexplainable bad luck the Andretti racing family has experienced in their efforts to win the Indianapolis 500. Patriarch and auto racing legend Mario Andretti won the race only once (1969). In victory lane, prolific car owner Andy Granatelli planted a kiss on the young Andretti's cheek. Following the win, Mario never managed to win the great race for a second time by his retirement in 1994. The misfortune at Indianapolis, with a cumulative total (post-2013) of 68 starts as drivers, has notably extended to his sons Michael and Jeff, nephew John, as well as grandson Marco, and to an in-direct extent, to his twin brother Aldo, and former car owner, Paul Newman.

Michael, Jeff and Marco all followed in the footsteps of Mario by winning the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year award, but none of those three, nor John, have yet managed to win the race. Twice, when Michael Andretti's team won the Indianapolis 500, the driver subsequently defected to rival Chip Ganassi Racing the following year.

Over the years due to the many misfortunes, public address announcer Tom Carnegie made the words "Mario is slowing down," dubiously famous.