Jeff Andretti

14/4/1960

Record updated 14-Apr-08

Jeff Andretti, the youngest son of Mario Andretti, competed in CART between 1990 and 1994 and was the series Rookie of the Year in 1991 but a crash at Indy in 1992 effectively put an end to his competetive career.

Jeff Andretti was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and is the youngest son of Mario Andretti, younger brother of Michael Andretti and uncle of Marco Andretti.

He started racing in Formula Super Vee in 1985 taking three wins on his way to 5th in the Championship. He moved to the American Racing Series the following year finishing runner up. He was runner up again in 1987. Two more years of American Racing Series followed without any results.

In 1990 he attempted to qualify for the Indy 500 but didn't make the grid. However he made his first start a week later at Milwaukee where he qualified his Lola T8900 Cosworth in 16th spot. He went out with engine problems. 

He qualified for the Indianapolis in 1991 and posted his best finish in the race of 15th having qualified in 11th. In a full season his best finishes were a 9th at Long Beach and another 9th at Toronto, enough to earn his the Rookie of the Year award.

In his second attempt at the "500" in 1992, he became yet another victim of the infamous Andretti Curse at the famed race track when a right rear wheel came loose off his car at Turn 2 and crashed violently head-on into the wall, smashing both his legs. The accident pretty much hampered if not all together ended Jeff's career at least in terms of his competitiveness, since he was never the same again afterwards.

He returned to the Brickyard in 1993 and quified in 16th but in the race he crashed out after 124 laps. It was his only CART appearance that year.

1994 he finished 17th at Phoenix in April but failed to qualify for the Indy 500.

He raced in Indy Lights for Canaska Racing in 1995 and in the North American Supertouring Cars driving a Ford Mondeo Ghia for Leitzinger Racing in 1996.

Jeff made 3 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts in 1999 in the #94 EML Rockfort Entertainment Chevrolet.



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