INDYCAR

JOHN ANDRETTI DIED OF CANCER

Published

3 years ago

31/01/2020

The F1 lead editorial team extends their heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, and loved ones of John Andretti.

John Andretti, the former NASCAR driver and nephew of racing icon Mario Andretti, has passed away at the age of 56 after a prolonged struggle with colon cancer.

Andretti Autosport released a statement on Twitter [@FollowAndretti] announcing John Andretti’s passing, stating that he had lost his battle with cancer. The statement described Andretti as a devoted son, loving husband, and father, a trusted cousin, and a philanthropist. It also acknowledged his advocacy for the sport, dedication to his team, competitive drive, and most importantly, his friendship.

The statement also recognized John Andretti’s decades-long commitment to Riley Hospital for Children through Race4Riley, which involved raising funds and dedicating his time to the cause. When he was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2017, Andretti vowed to fight back and use his voice to raise awareness of the importance of prevention and early detection. He fought hard and gained back days that the disease sought to take away. Through his efforts, he helped numerous people undergo appropriate screening, ultimately saving lives.

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The statement continued by stating that John Andretti’s selfless spirit of prioritizing others over himself will always be remembered. The message also offered prayers to Nancy, Jarett, Olivia, and Amelia, as well as the entire family and Andretti’s fans worldwide. The statement concluded by urging followers to check for any potential health concerns and emphasizing the importance of early detection by using the hashtag #CheckIt4Andretti.

John Andretti was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in 2017 and received chemotherapy. He announced early in 2018 that his scans showed he was cancer-free, but the cancer returned and spread a few months later. During his battle with the disease, Andretti initiated a #CheckIt4Andretti social media campaign to encourage others to get colonoscopies.

John Andretti began his NASCAR Cup Series career in 1993 and competed in his final race in the series in 2010. He spent much of his career at Petty Enterprises, and in 1999, he returned the iconic Petty #43 car to victory lane at Martinsville Speedway. The win marked Andretti’s second career win at NASCAR’s top level, with his first win coming at Daytona International Speedway in 1997 in a car owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough. He competed in 393 Cup Series races, representing teams such as Dale Earnhardt Inc., Front Row Motorsports, and BAM Racing, among others.

In addition to his NASCAR career, John Andretti also competed in sports car and open-wheel races, including 12 Indianapolis 500s. He achieved his best finish at the Indianapolis 500 in 1991, where he came in fifth place.