INDIANAPOLIS — Former IndyCar and NASCAR winner John Andretti died Thursday after a three-year battle with colon cancer.
Andretti Autosports, which is owned by Andretti’s cousin, Michael, announced the death Thursday.
Statement on the passing of John Andretti #CheckItForAndretti pic.twitter.com/ku3gX2neOq
— Andretti Autosport (@FollowAndretti) January 30, 2020
In 2019, John Andretti’s son, Jarrett, fulfilled John’s wish to become the seventh Andretti to race in the Indianapolis 500.
Andretti was diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2017, and doctors later determined the disease had spread to his liver. He made his diagnosis public in May 2017 and relied on social media to keep fans abreast of his condition.
I begin a new trial on Monday as the previous trial did not give us the results we had hoped for. In racing terms, we are changing the setup in an attempt to improve the car! I also have to make a quick pit stop with a surgical procedure on Friday. Please #CheckIt4Andretti
— John Andretti (@John_Andretti) September 8, 2019
Andretti started 49 consecutive IndyCar races in 1990-92 before moving to NASCAR, where he made 29 or more starts every year from 1994 through 2003. He was the first driver to attempt the Memorial Day double — racing 500 miles at Indy and 600 miles in Charlotte in the same day.
NASCAR statement on the passing of John Andretti. pic.twitter.com/ye1yDbfmLo
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 30, 2020
It’s not often that a person’s on-track prowess is overshadowed by their incredible personality. But that was John Andretti. His compassion for others was second to none, and our thoughts are with the Andretti family. Godspeed, John.
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) January 30, 2020
#CheckIt4Andretti pic.twitter.com/jYd6bi4EeW
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of John Andretti and the entire racing community. John was no stranger to Victory Lane at DAYTONA having won the '89 Rolex 24 as well as the '97 Coke Zero Sugar 400, the final 400 before it moved under the lights. Godspeed John. pic.twitter.com/sz6ifjRcda
— Daytona International Speedway (@DISupdates) January 30, 2020
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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