The Andretti curse stands as one of motorsport’s most enduring and mysterious phenomena. This supposed hex has haunted America’s most famous racing family for more than five decades at the Indianapolis 500. What began as a single victory in 1969 has transformed into a tale of near-misses, mechanical failures, and heartbreaking defeats that spans three generations of drivers.
Mario Andretti’s triumph at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1969 marked both the pinnacle and the beginning of his family’s complicated relationship with the Brickyard. The young Italian-American driver captured his first and only Indy 500 victory that year. Car owner Andy Granatelli famously kissed Mario’s cheek in victory lane. That moment would become the last time an Andretti would stand atop the podium as a driver at Indianapolis.
Origins of the Andretti Curse Legend
The Andretti curse allegedly began in 1970, just one year after Mario’s historic victory. According to racing journalist Robin Miller, a bitter feud erupted between Mario’s team members. Car owner Andy Granatelli and chief mechanic Clint Brawner had been successful partners. Their relationship soured over team control and direction.
Mario sided with Granatelli when the partnership dissolved. This decision reportedly angered Kay Brawner, Clint’s wife. Racing folklore claims she cast a hex on Mario and Granatelli. Her supposed curse declared that no Andretti would ever win the Indianapolis 500 again. Whether real or imagined, the curse seemed to take immediate effect.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway became a place of frustration for the Andretti family. Mario would compete in the race 28 more times after his 1969 victory. He never won again despite his incredible talent and determination.
Mario’s Quest and the Andretti Curse Pattern
Another fascinating historical case is: Coles Mills, Ohio: The Lost Ghost Town of Delaware County
Mario Andretti established himself as one of racing’s greatest drivers across multiple disciplines. He won the 1978 Formula One World Championship. He captured four IndyCar titles and the Daytona 500. He became the first driver to exceed 200 mph at Indianapolis in 1977 practice. Yet the Indy 500 remained elusive.
The pattern of the Andretti curse became painfully familiar. Mechanical failures struck at crucial moments. Crashes eliminated strong runs. Strategic mistakes cost potential victories. Mario finished the full 500 miles only five times in 29 starts. His completed races included his rookie year, his lone victory, two runner-up finishes, and his 1993 farewell.
Racing fans began to expect disappointment from the Andretti family each May. Some even created betting pools to guess which lap Mario would exit the race. The curse became a popular topic of discussion throughout the racing community.
The Next Generation’s Struggle
Michael Andretti inherited both his father’s talent and the family curse. He became one of IndyCar’s most successful drivers with 42 career victories. The Indianapolis 500 remained his white whale. Michael led the race multiple times but never captured victory as a driver.
His most heartbreaking moment came in 2006. Michael’s son Marco was leading with five laps remaining. Dan Wheldon passed the young Andretti on the final lap to claim victory. The family had come tantalizingly close to breaking the curse. Instead, it added another chapter to their Indianapolis heartbreak.
Jeff Andretti and John Andretti also fell victim to the supposed hex. Jeff competed in seven Indianapolis 500s without success. John made 12 attempts with similar results. The Andretti racing dynasty accumulated 80 combined starts at Indianapolis with only Mario’s single victory to show for their efforts.
Breaking the Andretti Curse Through Ownership
The Andretti curse has shown some flexibility in recent decades. Michael Andretti found success at Indianapolis as a team owner rather than a driver. His Andretti Autosport team has won the Indianapolis 500 five times since he took control. The victories came in 2005, 2007, 2012, 2014, and 2016.
These wins suggest the curse may specifically target Andretti drivers rather than the entire family enterprise. Michael’s success as an owner has brought him the Indianapolis 500 glory that eluded him as a competitor. His drivers have stood in victory lane while he celebrated from pit road.
Marco Andretti achieved a small breakthrough in 2005. He won the Liberty Challenge for the Infiniti Pro Series on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course. This victory made him the only family member besides Mario to win any race at the facility. However, the Indianapolis 500 itself remains unconquered by Andretti drivers.
The Andretti curse continues to fascinate racing fans and superstitious observers. Whether rooted in genuine supernatural forces or simply statistical coincidence, the pattern persists. The family’s quest for a second Indianapolis 500 victory as drivers has become one of motorsport’s most compelling ongoing narratives. Each May brings renewed hope that this might be the year the Andretti curse finally breaks. Until then, the legend of racing’s most famous hex lives on at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.