MARIO ANDRETTI

by Marshall Burchard ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1977

Burchard's latest stripped-down sports biography follows ""the most versatile man in racing"" from childhood in Italy, where he and twin brother Aldo first got the bug, to secret racing here (""the old man"" disapproved) after the family moved to Pennsylvania. Though Aldo crashed and eventually dropped out, Mario was soon riding the USAC Championship Trail and, at 25, beat out A. J. Foyt for the title. He finished third in his first Indy 500 and first ""after five years of trying"" in 1969--a victory-crammed season and the best in his career. Andretti, Burchard emphasizes, is knowledgeable about cars, and ""like all good drivers he is brave, confident, skillful and tough."" That's about all we learn of his personality, but, as Mario comments, ""I figure I was put on this earth to drive race cars."" Andretti at the wheel then, with the usual mix of PR and action photos and less than the usual off-track filler.

Pub Date: June 1, 1977

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1977

Categories: NONFICTION