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IMS Museum honoring Andretti’s legendary career with exhibit

Andretti with 1969 Indy 500 winning Brawner Hawk
Andretti with 1969 Indy 500 winning Brawner Hawk

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum will honor 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti and his illustrious racing career with the exhibit, “Mario Andretti: ICON," presented by Shell V-Power NiTRO+, opening to the public Wednesday, May 1.

The exhibit is part of a comprehensive 50th anniversary celebration of Andretti’s victory at the Indianapolis 500. Andretti led 116 laps and delivered a popular, long-awaited victory for colorful car owner Andy Granatelli, despite having to race in a backup car, battling race-long engine overheating issues and being forced to run all 500 miles on the same right-rear Firestone tire.

“Mario Andretti: ICON," presented by Shell V-Power NiTRO+, will bring together many of the most significant cars in Andretti’s career at the IMS Museum – cars which also represent significant milestones in motorsports history given Andretti’s accomplishments.

The featured exhibits of “Mario Andretti: ICON," are a full representation of the Nazareth, Pennsylvania, resident’s diverse career. A sampling of this can’t-miss exhibit includes:

  • 1974 Vel's Parnelli F1 car at Mosport
    1974 Vel's Parnelli F1 car at Mosport

    1967 Brawner Hawk II

    1967 Daytona 500 Winning Car

    The John Player Special Lotus Type 79-4, from the 1978 Formula One World Championship run

  • The 1974 Vel’s Parnelli Jones team Formula One car
  • 1967 Dean Van Lines Brawner Hawk II Indy 500 pole-winner
  • 1967 Watson Leader Card Sprint car
  • The 1967 Daytona 500-winning car
  • A 1994 Lola T9400 from his “Arrivederci Mario" farewell season
  • The Horn Offenhauser Sprint car, named “Baby," from Andretti’s first Sprint car race.

“Winning the Indianapolis 500 changed my life and Indy has been like a second home for my family for a very long time, so I’m very much looking forward to everything the museum and the speedway have planned in May," said Andretti. “To be called an 'icon' is extremely humbling, but the collection put together by the IMS Museum staff is phenomenal. I cannot wait to see this exhibit and share my story with the fans from around the world who will see it in the coming months."

Many other notable cars, firesuits, helmets and memorabilia will be part of the exhibit. An audio tour featuring stories from Andretti, longtime rivals A.J. Foyt, Al and Bobby Unser and team owner Roger Penske will provide entertaining, behind-the-scenes insight into his career.

“Mario Andretti: ICON," presented by Shell V-Power NiTRO+ will be open through Nov. 10.