Marco Andretti, a familiar name in the racing world, is gearing up for his 20th Indianapolis 500 this May. The 36-year-old driver has competed in every edition of the iconic race since his dramatic runner-up finish in his rookie year in 2006.
Last year, Andretti’s race ended in disappointment after a crash on the 113th lap, leaving him in 25th place. He hasn’t cracked the Top 10 at the Indy 500 since 2017 when he finished eighth.
This year marks Andretti’s fourth consecutive one-off appearance with Andretti Global. After racing full-time with the team from 2006 to 2020 and securing two career wins, Andretti shifted to a part-time role focused exclusively on the Indy 500.
The closest Andretti came to winning the prestigious race was in 2006 when, as a rookie, he was dramatically overtaken by Sam Hornish Jr. in the final corner of the last lap. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Andretti captured the pole position for the race, a career highlight despite not securing the win.
The confirmation of Andretti’s return to the team this year eases concerns among fans about his status. With a major leadership change at Andretti Global — Marco’s father, Michael Andretti, stepped down as co-owner and CEO in late 2024 — some speculated the younger Andretti’s seat might be in jeopardy.
The team is now under the leadership of Drew Towriss, head of the parent company of Gainbridge, a key sponsor of the organization. For now, Marco Andretti’s role with the team remains intact, as he prepares for another shot at Indy 500 glory.