An extensive interview with racing legend Mario Andretti on the 50th Anniversary of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

BRUCE:

This is Roger Penske, and you're listening to Pit Pass Indie, sponsored by Penske Truck Rental. IndyCar fans, it's time to start your engines. Welcome to Pit Pass Indy, a production of Evergreen Podcast. I'm your host, Bruce Martin, a journalist who regularly covers the NTT IndyCar Series. Our goal at Pit Pass Indy is to give racing fans an insider's view of the exciting world of the NTT IndyCar Series in a fast-paced podcast featuring interviews with the biggest names in the sport. I bring nearly 40 years of experience covering IndyCar and NASCAR, working for such media brands as NBCSports.com, SI.com, ESPN SportsTicker, Sports Illustrated, AutoWeek and SpeedSport. So let's drop the green flag on this episode of Pit Pass Indy. Welcome to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental as we continue our fifth season of giving IndyCar fans an inside look at the most exciting form of racing on the planet, the NTT IndyCar Series. Let's welcome back our friends from Penske Truck Rental as they return to sponsor Pit Pass Indy, helping bring you the inside stories of IndyCar from the paddock, to the racetrack, to the highways and streets of America. Pit Pass Indy is in Long Beach, California for the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach from April 11th to April 13th. It's the biggest, most historic street race in North America and has been on the Formula One, kart, and IndyCar schedules throughout its long and glorious history. Our guest for this special bonus edition is four-time Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach winner and racing legend Mario Andretti. He is the only driver who has won at Long Beach in Formula One in 1977 and in Kart IndyCar in 1984, 1985, and 1987. Andretti competed in the first ever Long Beach Grand Prix in 1975 when it was a Formula 5000 race when he was competing in Formula One. The next year it became the United States Grand Prix Formula One contest won by Clay Regazzoni of Switzerland in 1976. In 1977, Andretti won the United States Grand Prix and helped elevate the event in popularity as the first driver from the United States to win his home Grand Prix. Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental, had this exclusive interview with Mario Andretti earlier this week as he explains why the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is so important and so is its history. Our next guest was there in the beginning and he'll be there on Sunday as the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach celebrates its 50th anniversary. It's Mario Andretti who raced there in the very first race in 1975. He's the only man who has won that race in Formula One and in IndyCar. Mario, thank you for joining us today.

MARIO:

My pleasure, Bruce.

BRUCE:

Thanks for having me. Mario, when you think back to 50 years ago, it was a Formula 5000 race. You were the fastest driver in qualifying, but they set the starting lineup through heat races. There were a lot of great drivers in that race. Some people look at it and go, ah, it was Formula 5000. But back then, there were some really big names in motorsports that competed in that. What did you think of the concept of running a street race in the United States?

MARIO:

Well, as you know, anywhere else in the world, wherever they had some sweet events like France and Italy, they were stopping it. And here, all of a sudden, we're introducing it. So it was one of those things that was going to be a one-off. Everyone thought, obviously, there were a lot of naysayers. But it's amazing how this event took off. I mean, right now, obviously, it's the road racing event for IndyCar, no question. And anyway, it's great to see that it lived to celebrate 50 years.

BRUCE:

The race was held on September 28, 1975. Some huge names. You were in it. Al Unser was in it. Tony Bryce, a promising Formula One driver, was in it. Tom Price was in it. Brian Redman won the race. There were some other great names in there too. David Hobbs, Gordon Johncock even ran in it. When you look back at the great names that participated in that race, that's pretty impressive that for what many wondered would be a race, whether it would last or not, participated in that first race.

MARIO:

Well, as you can see that by having that level of talent driving, you could see that it was a premium event, no question. And rightfully so, the way it was all orchestrated and presented. So again, yeah, it was successful from the get-go. It was disappointing for some of us that we didn't realize how bumpy it was going to be at first. And we all broke, I broke a half shaft. And most of that, those were the mechanical failures, actually, for the ones that didn't finish. But nevertheless, learned a lot. But it seemed like after that, obviously, Formula One was going to add that to their schedule. And that was the idea. They had to have a previous event of stature to qualify for a Formula One event. So it all worked. I mean, it all worked the way it was designed. And here again, I can't say enough positives about it right from the get-go.

BRUCE:

One thing that a lot of people may not realize is the first Grand Prix of Long Beach was held in September, but the next race, the first Formula One race at Long Beach was held in March, which was a pretty quick turnaround. How impressed were you that Chris Pook, at the time he ran the race, it was his brainchild, he was a travel agent from England who saw this as an opportunity to really help expose Long Beach for future development. How impressed were you that they were able to do that in such a short period of time and get it ready to host Formula One?

MARIO:

Well, you could see it, it was an incredible commitment all around. And obviously he had to slot in a schedule and it all worked out. It was actually very good that it could, both races could happen in a very close proximity. They obviously cost effective not to tear everything down. So everything, like I said, everything was thought out properly, as you can see. And yeah, Chris Pook, again, there was a lot of credit, you know, to be the brainchild of this thing. And he had a lot of help on this side, supporting him, like Dan Gurney was one, for instance, and Parnelli Jones, I think. And, you know, we all obviously were behind it.

BRUCE:

I spoke with Jim McCallion earlier this week. He's the president, the longtime president of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. He said when you won there in 1977 in the Formula One race, that that is really when it legitimized and put a stamp of approval on what that race was and what it could be. When you think of that victory, how important do you see that to the fact that here we are 50 years after it began that it's still one of the biggest races in the world.

MARIO:

Well, here it is. I mean, on a personal level, you know, I had so much meaning for me for various reasons. Obviously, you know, you win a race. Formula One, but also with the U.S. Grand Prix. And I'm the only driver in Formula One ever that won a U.S. Grand Prix. So it puts a lot of premium on that for me personally, no question. And I probably didn't realize it as much as I do now, how important that was. A U.S. Grand Prix, that's a home Grand Prix. And that's important on that international level. I think today, It's a big feather on any driver's cap to win their home Grand Prix.

BRUCE:

Now, when you look at the list of Formula One winners that won that race, it was on the Formula One schedule from 1976 to 1983. Some great drivers, Clay Ragazzoni won the first race at Long Beach. You won the second. Then Carlos Reutemann, Gilles Villeneuve, Nelson Piquet, Alain Jones, Nicky Lauda, John Watson. Those were all huge names in Formula One at that time. So it really did seem to be a race course where the best of the best had to turn out to win that race?

MARIO:

Oh, no question about it, yeah. And as you mentioned, each one from a different country. Each one from a different country in the world. So that's the part that obviously puts a lot of value. It's Olympic level importance. So like I said, there's so much, so many positives that went along with it year after year.

BRUCE:

After the 1983 Formula One race, the Long Beach Grand Prix wanted to renegotiate with Formula One in order to be able to make a profit on the event. They weren't able to reach a good deal with Bernie Ecclestone at that time, so they switched to the Card IndyCar series. In the very next year, the winner was Mario Andretti. You won it two years in a row, followed by a victory in 86 by your son Michael, his first IndyCar victory. And then, Mario, you won again in 1987, and then after that started in Al Unser Jr. who became the king of the beach with six victories there. That's a glorious golden era of names that competed in the cart era of the Long Beach Grand Prix. And do you think that that really solidified its longevity?

MARIO:

Well, no question. You know, a cart being a home Discipline here, you know, including the IndyCars and all that, obviously made it another premium event because of the attendance. And I always say, it was just not just a great motor race, but it was an event. That's what it became and a destination every year. So, again, it said it was really great for the IndyCar series cart as it was then.

BRUCE:

So you as a race driver, you knew what the Formula One cars were like, because you were a Formula One driver. But when you returned to kart, there were a lot of people that wondered how the fans would accept a series that may not go as fast as the Formula One cars, may not be as quick, I should say, as the Formula One cars were. But it really seemed like the kart cars put on better racing. And how would you say the difference of the two cars were?

MARIO:

Well, it's the usual, you know, we're talking about, you know, different rules. You know, the car, the IndyCars are heavier because they have to be to be able to sustain the loadings of the super speedways and the ovals. And, you know, so because of that, the minimum weight is higher and because it's much more of a versatile series and a versatile race car. In Formula One, it's only road racing, you know, so obviously you build it accordingly. And it's unfair to say, to, you know, to put the two series side-by-side and say, oh yeah, well Indy cars are not as exciting because they're a bit slower on the road course. Well, put a Formula One car on an oval and then the Indy car would just be faster. But nevertheless, the racing was always good and then obviously more overtaking as usual. And so, yeah, the IndyCar series thrived at Long Beach after that until today.

BRUCE:

What do you recall about that victory in 1984?

MARIO:

Well, Bruce, you know, a victory is always a wonderful thing. And, uh, uh, it's, you know, it's one of those days that stay with you forever. Um, and, um, then later on having Michael win his very first, uh, IndyCar race there. And then as a matter of fact, Michael won his very last. former IndyCar racer in 2002. Yeah, as you can see, you know, we love that place. No question. You see how much pleasure, how much excitement it brought to our family in general.

BRUCE:

So you were competing against Michael in that race in 1986. When were you aware of what he had just done that he had won the race and how proud you were?

MARIO:

I knew I knew where he was. He was up front. And, you know, I said, doggone it. And they said, atta boy, that's my boy. You know, like every time he got by me, I got, I was mad. And then all of a sudden, well, atta boy, that's my boy. It's a double-edged sword.

BRUCE:

Just like in Formula One, when you look at the list of IndyCar winners that have won at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, which is now the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, it's the best of the best. Once again, there aren't too many drivers in there that really lucked their way into a victory. They all seem to be pretty big names. So, is that really a race course that rewards the very best?

MARIO:

Well, you know, in so many ways, I mean, to win, you got to be the best that particular day and And to win any race, obviously you got to be with the best team and you got to do the equipment justice. You know, I don't I think you see too many backmarkers win too many races anytime.

BRUCE:

So you're a four-time winner of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. You're the only driver that won it in Formula One and won it in Kart IndyCar. That's an achievement nobody's going to be able to equal because Formula One doesn't race at Long Beach anymore. So in a list of things that you were able to accomplish that other drivers weren't, I guess that's one of the ones that you can be very proud of.

MARIO:

Oh, absolutely. I'm certainly very proud of that. And the fact that I was at Long Beach and every single race, I was there 49 races. Well, it would be, you know, 49 races. There'd be 50 on Sunday. But the only one I miss is 1983. I checked all my record. And that is because obviously In 1983, I was not in Formula One, I was in IndyCar full-time, and we didn't compete there.

BRUCE:

As a driver, when did you realize this is really turning into more than a race, it's turning into a huge event in the state of California?

MARIO:

That was at the very beginning, quite honestly, and I think that's what really gave it longevity. Just look what Look what that did for the city. Right now, I mean, ever since the race has been obviously active there, which is 50 years now, the town just has grown into a beautiful destination. You have entertainment, you have great restaurants, you have a convention center. Great hotels, all of which, you know, you need to spend time there. So, yeah, I think looking at the way the city of Long Beach looked 50 years ago when I was there and what it looks like today, you wouldn't even, I mean, it's like a different world.

BRUCE:

Speaking of different world, it's a little bit different race course back in 75 than it is today. What were some of the major changes from then to now?

MARIO:

Well, there were many. The only thing that never changed was the shoreline straightaway. But obviously, geographically, whenever you have a city course, because of construction, one thing and other things are going to change. But I think they always manage to do a good job in revamping the course. I think I drove every configuration there was, and even the latest with a two-seater, so I'm quite familiar with all of them. And again, I thought that they all presented their own challenge, but ultimately, I think they did a good job of what they had to work with.

BRUCE:

How do you even begin to describe how different the city is now to the way it was in 75? Because in a lot of ways that race really is the reason why the skyline of that city has dramatically changed.

MARIO:

Well, like I said before, you wouldn't recognize it. Right now, it's a beautiful city, beautiful, as I said, again, destination. From a business and pleasure standpoint, so yeah. Let's give this event a lot of credit for creating that for the town of Long Beach.

BRUCE:

We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

WILL:

This is Will Power of Team Penske and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

BRUCE:

Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental. Here is the rest of our exclusive interview with Mario Andretti entering the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. When you look at the state of California, it was once the home of some pretty good racing facilities. Monterey still exists, IndyCar still races there along with other racing series. But during that time, Ontario Motor Speedway came and gone, Riverside Raceway, which had been around for a long time, came and gone. Those both went away because the land value was so high. Now, Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, which was an absolute palace when it opened, It's pretty much gone and nobody really knows what the future of that facility is. It's pretty much been put on hold by the track owner NASCAR, but yet the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach continues. I don't think that can be underplayed when you look at all these other great facilities that are no longer in the state of California, but Long Beach continues. So what do you think of that?

MARIO:

Well, it speaks volumes to the attraction of this event. As I said, people just want to be there. You don't have just race fans. You have people that just want to be there, be part of what's going on. It's a big, you know, it's a big festival, if you will, for the entire weekend. So look at the way the city is bustling. I mean, it's just beautiful. A lot of life and people having fun. And so that's it. I mean, there are things to do there. That's the thing. That's what makes it different. That's what makes it special.

BRUCE:

You're gonna be honored on Sunday along with some other great drivers, Al Unser Jr. obviously because he was the king of the beach with six victories. I believe Brian Redmond may be returning. But to realize that you've been there since the very beginning and here you are 50 years later still going just as good as ever. How proud are you to be honored like that?

MARIO:

Well, of course, I'm proud indeed. I mean, I feel like, you know, that place has been very important to me, my career and the family, as I said earlier. So, yeah, it's got tremendous value in my book. And I'm just very fortunate that I'm still standing and I'll keep going there as long as it keeps running, as long as I can walk.

BRUCE:

Speaking of family, not only did your son Michael win there as a driver, he also was a winning team owner there, most recently with Kyle Kirkwood. How proud were you to see the Andretti legacy continue in that race?

MARIO:

You have no idea. You have no idea how proud. Yes, indeed, because racing has been our life and the family and on both sides, you know, and my twin brother Aldo and myself, and you can see that All in all, we have eight race drivers, four on each side of the family. So you can see that motor racing is important and to be able to show how good this kind of sport has been to us along the way. Yeah, it's a wonderful thing, obviously. Those are the things you cannot predict, but when they happen, when they happen, you savor it.

BRUCE:

Michael, of course, is no longer a team owner. In September of last year, he relinquished control to a business partner, Dan Towers, and also Mark Walter. But I saw Michael at St. Petersburg, and I haven't seen him look that relaxed in a very long time. For you to be able to see your son be able to relax and enjoy life now, how do you look at that?

MARIO:

Well, as you can see, that's why I never wanted to be a team owner. I wanted to really thoroughly enjoy it as a driver. I just, I couldn't wait to get in a race car. I couldn't wait for the race weekend and all that. And I didn't have to worry about, you know, we're going to have, we have enough sponsors and this and that. So I just did what I love, loved and continued to do that. And I lived through, you know, being part of the sport with Michael, but enjoying it from a different side, just enjoying it, watching the drivers, watching them do their job and being envious and not being able to be in that cockpit, but nevertheless, That's the way life is, but the driving aspect is the only thing that interests me, even as I continue to be part of the Formula One program. I'm basically just an advisor on the driver's side. That's all I'm interested in.

BRUCE:

Now, as an ambassador for the Formula One team... I'm not an ambassador, I'm an advisor. So, as the advisor for the Formula One team, what can you tell us about the progress of the operation right now, because it's supposed to hit the track in 2026?

MARIO:

Oh, it's flat out. Ongoing, as you can imagine. I mean, it's just... Everything is pretty much on schedule, and... And, you know, we had prepared, we've been preparing for this, you know, for quite a long time. And we were working toward, you know, the schedules that we're facing now for some time. And so it's all good. It's all happening.

BRUCE:

So how much travel will be involved in this? You're going to be at every Formula One race? I haven't decided that.

MARIO:

I'm going to keep my options fluid. And again, you know, I'm not going to commit to any of that. 100% yet, but I have the option to just do as I please.

BRUCE:

You've raced for many great brands in auto racing. This time you're going to be part of a team that's going to introduce Cadillac to the Formula One World Championship. And just how huge is that going to be?

MARIO:

Well, talk about great brands. Not many are greater than Cadillac. So as you can see, big responsibility there all around. And, you know, you just want to showcase something that's, you know, in the world stage, you know, something with pride. And Cadillac has never been officially part of Formula One. And now it is. That's a wonderful thing. And it's, again, there's so much to look forward to here.

BRUCE:

Going back to my earlier question about attending every Formula One race, you'll have to share with me your secret for international travel by air, because I've never been able to sleep on a plane. How do you do it?

MARIO:

Well, number one, I do sleep on the plane, no problem. So I'm a good traveler there. And when I arrive at a destination, no matter, you know, what the time schedule is, I go on local time. That's one thing I've seen, you know, I've traveled, I mean, alongside so many, you know, many people that sometimes, you know, there's at a certain time of the day, oh my goodness, back home at so and so time. So they keep dwelling on that potential negative. So I always found it, get on that location, get in that location and go on that time and deal with that immediately. And you find that you slide right into it a lot better.

BRUCE:

Speaking from experience on that, I know exactly what you mean because all those trips to Twin Ring Motegi in Japan, right about the time I got used to the Japanese time, it'd be time to come back to the United States and it seemed like it was always worse when you got home because it would take about a week or two to finally readjust. It seems that a lot of you guys, especially race drivers, you look at that Formula One grid, Yeah, and also it's just how you deal with it mentally, you know. You just gotta be able to

MARIO:

to slide with the times and not to be able to waste too much time just saying, oh gosh, this is not bad, just get on with it.

BRUCE:

The first Grand Prix of Long Beach was televised by CBS. It was on CBS for a number of years, then it was on ABC, ESPN, and then most recently it was on NBC. Now, this is the first Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. This is going to be on Fox as part of its season-long coverage of IndyCar. So just how important do you see Fox in helping grow IndyCar?

MARIO:

Well, I think it's just as important for Fox to make it a success as it is for the series. So, I mean, it's again, you know, they committed. to do a job. And so far, I think they've done a phenomenal job in presenting it. They have a great team of broadcasters. And so they have all the ingredients there. And again, it works for both. Fox, they want to be successful and so does the series. So we both work in the same direction.

BRUCE:

Speaking of success, IndyCar has now had two races. The Acura Grand Prix at Long Beach will be the third race of the season. What are your thoughts so far on IndyCar in 2025?

MARIO:

All good. All good. You know, competition is there and, you know, it's a very unpredictable series, which is what makes it interesting. as far as the potential winners. Yeah, we've had repeat winners now, but at the same time, there's still the competition is very deep in the field and a lot of talent there. So, yeah, every race is something to truly look forward to, you know, as to how I will evolve and strengthen in the teams so deep in the field. So, yeah, I mean, the product is there.

BRUCE:

Speaking of races to look forward to, next year a new race will be on the schedule, the Grand Prix of Arlington that's going to be running around AT&T Stadium where the Dallas Cowboys play and Globe Life Field where the Texas Rangers and Major League Baseball play. I know you're excited about that. What do you see the potential of that race? I think it's a great potential.

MARIO:

I mean, I think the ambiance will be fantastic. And I can just envision the presentation is going to be first class. Yeah, I mean, I'm very, very excited about this event. I think it's going to be another marquee event for the IndyCar Series.

BRUCE:

And of course, coming up here in May, the month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, everybody's favorite time of the year if you're an IndyCar fan, it'll be the 109th Indianapolis 500. And I know that they're getting closer and closer to being a sellout in 2025. So in a lot of ways, We've seen over the history of the Indianapolis 500 where it's had some huge peaks, it's had a little bit of dip here and there, but now it looks like it's back to returning to the peak. And how excited are you over the prospects of a sold out Indianapolis 500 in 2025? I love, love that.

MARIO:

Absolutely. I mean, this event has always been a top event. I could see what it means to the fans. I mean, I won four championships and everything else, and I won a lot of races in IndyCar. All they talk to me about is, oh, yeah, 1969 IndyCar winner. So that tells you the story. And that race has not lost anything over the years. In fact, it's gained the prestige.

BRUCE:

So yeah, it's all good. And of course, Jim McAleenan is the longtime president of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. He was there from the beginning. How do you begin to describe his importance in the continuation and the history of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach?

MARIO:

I just love the guy. He deserves a lot of credit for keeping this thing going with different ownerships and so forth. I could never say enough to actually to praise this man. I'll tell you what, it's all about people in any business and he deserves tremendous amount of credit for keeping this This race is the way it is, keeping it going.

BRUCE:

Well, yeah, and when you think about the key to longevity, I look at somebody like Roger Penske, I look at somebody like Jim McKinley, and I look at you and I, even AJ, I guess that the secret to longevity is just keep working.

MARIO:

There you go. There you have it. Keep going, man. Keep it going.

BRUCE:

So, summing up, how would you describe your time in the history of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach from the very beginning to coming up here on Sunday, the 50th anniversary of this great race?

MARIO:

Well, you know, again, for me, when I look at my career, it's one of the absolute gems of my career. No question about it, as I've told you, for many reasons, not just a personal reason, just myself, but the family, what it meant, and then to be able to have contributed to, you know, the field in some degree, right from the beginning, and certainly, again, It paid me off handsomely in every possible way.

BRUCE:

Well, Mario, your career has certainly been a gem. And not only were you a great race driver, but you're a gem of a human being. We've become pretty good friends here, and I really appreciate that. You're one of the racing heroes that's still out there, and that is something that everybody loves. Mario Andretti, Hopefully we see you around for even more Acura Grand Prix's in Long Beach and even more Indianapolis 500s. Good luck in the future. Enjoy Long Beach this weekend. I'll see you out there and thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy.

MARIO:

Well, thank you for having me, Bruce, and thank you and see you there.

BRUCE:

We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

JOSEF:

Hey everyone, this is two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden, and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental.

BRUCE:

And that puts a checkered flag on this edition of Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental. We wanna thank our guest, racing legend Mario Andretti, the only driver to win the Long Beach Grand Prix in Formula One in 1977, and in kart IndyCar in 1984, 1985, and 1987, for joining us on today's podcast, heading into the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 11th to April 13th. Along with loyal listeners like you, our guests help make Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental, your path to victory lane in IndyCar. On the highways, the raceways, and every pit stop in between, Penske Truck Rental keeps you moving forward. Gain ground with Penske. For more IndyCar coverage, follow me at X, previously known as Twitter, at BruceMartin, one word, uppercase B, uppercase M, underscore 500. This has been a production of Evergreen Podcast. A special thanks to our production team, executive producers are Bridget Coyne and Gerardo Orlando. Recordings and edits were done by me, Bruce Martin, and final mixing was done by Dave Douglas. Learn more at evergreenpodcast.com. Until next time, be sure to keep it out of the wall.