Las Vegas Weekly

November 21, 2008 · 1:14 PM

Racecar legend Mario Andretti hits the party circuit

By Robin Leach

Mario Andretti.

Photo: Venetian

He is the most incredible racecar driver of all time: In a span of nearly five decades, Mario Andretti has racked up more than 100 wins -- and nobody comes even close!

Mario, 68, welcomed a group of high-rollers from The Venetian and Palazzo out to his driving school at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and he told me even he was impressed with some of the 160-plus mph speeds that they achieved. Afterwards he joined them at master chef Charlie Trotter’s Restaurant Charlie in the Palazzo for a trophy ceremony, and even I was in awe when I met him.

He told me that behind the wheel, he was “fearless.” He said: “It was always the one place I was the most comfortable being. I drove to win. I didn’t drive to be second. I never thought about anything else, so I wasn’t frightened of anything except losing!”

Photo: The Venetian

Life in the fast lane: Charlie Trotter, Mario Andretti and Robin Leach.

When I remarked that 50 years was a mighty long time to remain on top, he said: “I always kept on trying to do better. I always knew somebody was chasing right behind me, and I didn’t want them to overtake me.”

By coincidence, it was a reunion for Mario and Charlie. They’d met once before at Charlie’s restaurant in Chicago, and every year when Mario’s race team few into Indianapolis for the annual 500, his sponsor had Charlie send all the catering in from the Windy City!

Photo: Venetian

Trophies won by Mario Andretti.

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