Auto-racing legend Mario Andretti discovered his love for fast cars in Italy, which grew when he arrived in Nazareth, Pa., writes Marc Myers for The Wall Street Journal.
Born in 1940 in the Croatian town of Motovun, Andretti is the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500, and the Formula One World Championship.
When his family decided to leave Motovun, they were placed in a refugee camp for seven years. There, Andretti was taught to drive by the owners of a nearby parking garage. While they waited for their U.S. visa, the garage owners took him and his brother to auto races, including the 1954 Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
When Andretti was 15, the visas came through and the family moved to Nazareth. There, he found a nearby racetrack and started building a stock car with his brother and four friends.
His brother drove his first race there and won $150, which helped pay down the $500 bank loan for the car. Andretti drove next, earning his first victory and paving the way for his successful career in racing.
Read more about Mario Andretti in The Wall Street Journal by clicking here.
