CBS SportsLine
Chat Transcript
Feb. 11, 1999

Andretti is a modern day legend in the world of sports racing. (Allsport)

Andretti.

It all started out as a childhood dream that began racing on dirt ovals around Nazareth in 1959 in an old Hudson and then finished with a resume that included Formula One world Champion and Indy 500 winner. The name has become synonymous with racing.

Mario Andretti is arguably one of the greatest race car drivers of all-time, stopped by to chat with CBS SportsLine fans on Thursday, Feb. 11 and shared his opinions on the current state of racing.

His first Indy race was in 1964 and he finished 11th. A year later, he won his first Indy Car race, the Hoosier Grand Prix, earned Rookie of the Year honors at the Indianapolis 500 and won the USAC Indy Car championship. In 1968, Andretti entered the Formula One Grand Prix racing circuit, taking the pole position in his very first race -- the Watkins Glen Grand Prix. In 1978, he won the Formula One World Championship.

Whether it was Indy, Formula One, Formula 5000 or Sprint cars, Andretti proved himself a winner at all levels of competition in his 36-year career. He was the only person to be named Driver of the Year in three decades -- 1967, 1978 and 1984. He is only driver to win the Daytona 500, Indy 500 and a Formula One world title. He is one of only three drivers to win races on paved ovals, road courses and dirt tracks in one season -- a feat he accomplished four times.

The four-time Indy car national champion, with his 52nd, and final Indy car victory (also his 100th major career victory) at the Phoenix 200 in April 1993, became the first driver to win Indy car races in four decades and the first to win races in five decades.

Find out what Mario had to say in the full transcript of his chat below.

Mario Andretti: Hi everyone!

Question: Mario, how does it feel to be the greatest legend in the sport of racing?

Mario Andretti: Well, I think I should leave that for others to decide, but I appreciate the compliment.

Question: Mario, what was your greatest accomplishment in racing?

Mario Andretti: I would say it was when I won the Formula One championship.

Question: Mario, what was your fastest lap ever?

Mario Andretti: That's easy. The fastest was when I qualified for the 1993 Michigan 500 234.275 mph. That record stood until they repaved the track.

Question: Mario, do you think a truly good driver will admit when he was the cause of a wreck or incident during a race?

Mario Andretti: I'd like to think that it is more the function of character than driver per say. It is because of certain characters. Some will be totally honest. Others will be on the defensive. There is no question that people appreciate when a driver fesses up and admits he made a mistake. Today you are so accountable because everything is shown on replays. The days of trying to hide and make excuses for a mistake are pretty much over.

Question: Mario, how many more years will you continue racing?

Mario Andretti: Well, that's very difficult. I will never really officially retire. I will just fade away. I will keep my options open. Who knows, it could happen till I am 65. I will have to assess a situation when I arrive at a certain age, but I will keep right on going.

Question: Mario, do you ever think of trying another Daytona 500?

Mario Andretti: I wish I was still at the age where I could go for it. If I could borrow 10 years from somebody, I think I might be able to go.

Question: What was your favorite track to race on?

Mario Andretti: That's an interesting one because I have raced on so many really good tracks around the world. Let's put it this way, my favorite road course is Elkart Lake in Wisconsin. And probably as far as the ovals, the Super Speedways for Indy Cars, my favorite was the Pocono Speedway in Pennsylvania.

Question: Your grandson Marco has started racing. How does that make you feel?

Mario Andretti: It's got that roller-coaster of emotions attached to it. It's early to tell since he is close to the environment whether he will pursue this career. He is having fun and is hell on skates. He loves hockey and plays basketball in school. It is good that he gets to taste a lot of sports.