VIDEO: Racing Legend Mario Andretti To Serve As Honorary Race Official For 59th Daytona 500
By NASCAR // February 15, 2017
50TH Anniversary of Andretti's Daytona 500 win
ABOVE VIDEO: Considered one of the top five upsets in Daytona 500 history, Mario Andretti went on to win the eighth running of the Great American Race on a cool crisp Florida day.
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA (NASCAR) – Mario Andretti, who along with A.J. Foyt, Jamie McMurray and most recently Jeff Gordon, are the only drivers to win both the DAYTONA 500 and the Rolex 24 At Daytona, will serve as a Honorary Race Official for the 59th annual DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 26.
Andretti and Daytona International Speedway will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of his epic 1967 DAYTONA 500 triumph throughout Speedweeks 2017.
As part of his Honorary Race Official duties for “The Great American Race,” Andretti will be introduced at the drivers’ meeting, participate in pre-race ceremonies, ride in one of the parade cars and take part in question-and-answer sessions in fan hospitality areas and the UNOH Fanzone.
In addition, a replica of Andretti’s 1967 DAYTONA 500-winning No. 11 Holman-Moody Ford will be on display on DAYTONA 500 Weekend in the UNOH Fanzone.
“It’s an honor to host Mario Andretti for the DAYTONA 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said.
“Mario is part of an exclusive club of champions at the ‘World Center of Racing’ and arguably has the most recognizable name in the entire history of auto racing.”
“His victory here in 1967 has grown to legendary status and is truly one of the most significant moments in the history of the speedway and our community.”
Andretti is considered by many to be the greatest driver in the history of motorsports, having been named Co-Driver of Century by the Associated Press in 1999.
He won the 1978 Formula One World Championship, four IndyCar Series championships and the Indianapolis 500 in 1969.
Andretti and Foyt are the only drivers to have won both the DAYTONA 500 and the Indianapolis 500.
CLICK HERE for tickets to the 59th annual DAYTONA 500 and other Speedweeks events or call 1-800-PITSHOP.
The opening race of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season will be shown on FOX and FOX Deportes and can be heard on MRN Radio and SiriusXM Radio.
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