RACING INTO OUR HEARTS: MARIO ANDRETTI’S LONG BEACH LEGACY

By Ashley Bolter

For Mario Andretti, racing is a part of him, it’s in his blood.

“It's been my life, basically,” Andretti said.

With 111 total wins and a career spanning five decades, Andretti is considered one of the greatest race car drivers of all time. Though he retired in 2000, Andretti is still very much involved in the racing world. This year he will co-Grand Marshal the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach alongside Al Unser Jr, who is the most successful race car driver in Long Beach history with six wins across eight years.

Andretti participated in the first Long Beach Grand Prix in 1975 and has gone to every race since, winning four times. Andretti’s son, Michael, won his first and last Indy Car races of his career in Long Beach as well.

“I don't know how to explain how much Long Beach means to us,” Andretti said.

Andretti’s 1977 win helped put the Long Beach Grand Prix on the map as a major international event.

“I think it did so much, it was so positive for worldwide recognition of Long Beach,” Andretti said. “Now, the city has really transformed itself, you know. I mean, it's not the city that was there when we started, but I think the sport in general has really promoted the city to a level to be really proud of.”

The 50th Acura Grand Prix will be held on April 11-13 and will take place down Shoreline Drive and around the Long Beach Convention Center.