Racing Career - Michael Andretti.

Racing Career:

First raced Go-Karts in the 1970's, winning 50 of 75 races during 1972 to 1979. Qualified for SCCA amateur and national license in 1980.

1980 - First cometition was in Formula Ford at Watkins Glen.

1981 - Captured Northeast division Formula Ford title with six victories.

1982 - Super Vee champion winning six races. Named SCCA Pro Rookie of the year.

1983 - Won Formula Mondial Championship and was third co-driving with father for first time in 24 Hours of LeMans. Made IndyCar debut at Las Vegas, taking nineteenth after gearbox failure. Started final three events of the season taking ninth at Phoenix in the finale.

1984 - Finished seventh in PPG Cup standings, finished in the Top Ten nine times. Scored five third place finishes. Qualified fourth in first Indy 500, finished fifth. Earned Indy Co-Rookie of the year (with Roberto Guerrero).

1985 - Best finish of the year was at Elkhart Lake. Involved in pre-race helicopter accident with team mate Kevin Cogan at Pocono 500 unhurt - he finished thirteenth. Finished ninth in PPG points.

1986 - Earned first three IndyCar victories in career finishing second in driving standings. Lost PPG Cup on final weekend to overall champion Bobby Rahal. Won first three pole positions of career and topped all drivers with 699 laps led (of 2,434). First win was at Long Beach, first pole at Milwaukee. Lost by 0.07 seconds to father Mario on Father's Day at Portland in the closest victory margin in PPG Cup history.

1987 - Repeated as PPG Cup runner-up to Bobby Rahal winning series high four races and two poles. Earned first 500 mile victory at Michigan and won inaugural home won event at Nazareth. Totalled nine Top Five finishes in sixth season with Kraco.

1988 - In final season with Kraco produced seven Top Five finishes and victory at the second Marlboro Challenge at Miami. With Cosworth engine was only driver besides Bobby Rahal (Judd) to break Chevy domination. Won sole non-Chevrolet pole at Milwaukee. In November announced agreement to race with father at Newman/Haas for 1989 season. First father-son combination in IndyCar racing gaining Chevrolet engine in deal.

1989 - First year as part of history making father/son team. Won at Toronto and Michigan. Scored points at Detroit and Cleveland. Finished third in year end points table.

1990 - Five times winner scoring four poles to finish runner-up in PPG IndyCar World Series. With Detroit first win of the year Andretti became first driver since father Mario, in August 1987, to lead every lap of a race. Finished one-two with father in Mid- Ohio.

1991 - Won IndyCar-record eight races and special event Marlboro Challenge to score first PPG Cup. Earned record number of points under modern (1983) system. First driver to win the Marlboro Challenge twice, first to win from the pole and first to the PPG Cup in the same season. Topped IndyCar racing's first ever all Andretti victory podium ahead of cousin, John, and father, Mario, at Milwaukee. Won the championship in the same year as younger brother Jeff won Rookie of the Year title. Won eight poles. Finished on the podium eleven times. Named Driver of the Year by a national panel of journalists.

1992 - Finished runner-up in PPG Cup championship - to Bobby Rahal - by second closest margin in history, 196 to 192. Won five races and scored seven poles. Led 1,136 of 2,110 laps - nearly 54% of all laps raced.

1993 - Left IndyCar to join McLaren Ford Formula One program teamed with Ayrton Senna. Scored seven points in thirteen Formula One starts with McLaren team. Highlight of season was a third place finish in the Italian Grand Prix. Also took fifth at the at Spanish Grand Prix and sixth in France. Announced return to IndyCar at hometown race at Nazareth in September.

1994 - Drove for Chip Ganassi Racing Teams. Won in Australia - his first race back following his Formula One stint. The Australia also marked the first win for the Reynard chassis and Chip Ganassi. Finished sixth at Indy. Won at Toronto. Scored five other Top Five finishes.

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