Marco Andretti
Bearing one of racing's most famous surnames, he came within 0.0635 seconds of Indy 500 glory but spent a career chasing that elusive victory.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American racing driver·Birthday: March 13·Millennials
Biography
Marco Andretti didn't choose racing; it was the family business, and expectations were woven into his DNA from birth. The grandson of Mario and son of Michael, he announced his arrival by nearly winning the Indianapolis 500 as a 19-year-old rookie in 2006, losing in a heart-stopping photo finish. That moment became the defining arc of his career: immense talent and pedigree perpetually shadowed by the 'Andretti Curse' at the Brickyard. He secured two IndyCar wins and was a consistent front-runner, but the ultimate victory at Indianapolis remained just out of reach, a source of public fascination and personal frustration. After nearly two decades, he stepped back from full-time competition, his legacy forever tied to that agonizingly close call and the weight of a legendary name.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Marco was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Marco Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Marco's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Finished second in the 2006 Indianapolis 500 by 0.0635 seconds, the second-closest finish in race history at the time.
- Won the 2006 IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year award.
- Scored his first IndyCar Series victory at Sonoma Raceway in 2006, becoming the third-youngest winner in series history.
- Captured his second career win at Iowa Speedway in 2011.
Did You Know?
He is one of only three drivers to have both a father and grandfather who also won IndyCar races.
He co-owns and drives for Andretti Technologies in the Electric GT Championship.
He attempted to qualify for the 2023 Indianapolis 500 as a one-off entry with a new team, reaching the Fast Twelve.
He holds the record for the fastest lap in Indy 500 history, set during qualifying in 2020 at an average speed of 234.063 mph.
“The Andretti name is a blessing and a curse. It opens doors, but it also means the expectations are there before you even turn a wheel.”
