Michael Andretti, eldest son of racing legend Mario, was one of seven people inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America during a who’s-who-of-auto-racing ceremony at the Fillmore Detroit on Wednesday night.
Making up the Class of 2008 were Andretti, the 1991 CART champion; NASCAR great Buddy Baker; NHRA funny car champion John Force; sports car and open-wheel standout Richie Ginther; motorcycle icon Wayne Rainey; aerobatic pilot and women’s land speed pioneer Betty Skelton; and Paul Goldsmith, who raced motorcycles, stock cars and Indy cars.
Andretti, 45, whose Andretti Green Racing team competes in the IndyCar Series, joined his father in the Hall.
“This is quite an honor—to be inducted into the Hall of Fame with this group,” Michael Andretti said. “You do your job, and you never really think about ever being in the Hall. It ranks right up there with other things I achieved—but it’s a different kind of thing—it’s an honor-type thing and it’s very special.”
Michael Andretti never won the 500, his best finish second in 1991. In 1993, Michael spent a frustrating year in F1 driving for McLaren. He returned after one season to resume his racing career in America, finishing sixth in the 1994 Indy 500.
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