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Jeff Andretti (born April 14, 1964) is a former American professional race car driver. He competed in the Champ Car World Series and was the series' Rookie of the Year in 1991.

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Andretti was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on April 14, 1964, the youngest son of Dee Ann (Hoch)[1] and Italian-born 1969 Indianapolis 500 and 1978 Formula 1 World Champion Mario Andretti. His older brother is Michael Andretti, and his uncle is Aldo Andretti. His nephew is Marco Andretti, who is the son of his brother, Michael. He is also the cousin of Aldo's two sons, John Andretti and Adam Andretti. The Andretti family became the first family to have four relatives (Michael, Mario, Jeff, and John) to compete in the same series, which occurred during the CART series.[2]

Career

[edit]
The aftermath of Andretti's crash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the 1992 Indianapolis 500

In 1983, Andretti was racing in Formula Fords, winning both the USAC Pro Ford Championship and the Skip Barber Formula Ford Eastern Series. After qualifying for his Sports Car Club of America national license in 1984, he won the Northeast Division title in Formula Ford. In November, he made his Formula Super Vee debut, at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.[3]

Andretti continued in Formula Super Vee the following season, with the Ralt America outfit, winning the third race of the season, on the Milwaukee Mile. In the CART race at the same event, Mario did the same, marking the first time a father and son had started from pole and won races on the same track, in the same weekend. Andretti would also win in Cleveland and Phoenix, on his way the fifth in the Robert Bosch/Valvoline Championship.[3][4]

In 1986, Andretti moved into the new American Racing Series with Ralph Sanchez Racing. Like his Milwaukee win the previous year, his only race win was a "family affair". He earned his first ARS victory, at Pocono, as his father won the CART race at the same meeting, after his brother, Michael had started from pole, giving the Andretti family a "clean sweep". Andretti went on to finish second the overall ARS standings. For 1987, Andretti switched to Arciero Racing for another attempt at ARS, winning the opening race of the season, in Phoenix. He would revisit the top step of the podium in the series finale, in the race around Tamiami Park, Miami, snatching second place in the championship away from Tommy Byrne in the process.[3][5][6]

In 1989, Andretti competed in the Toyota Atlantic, while developing a new chassis. Although the season was winless, he did earn Rookie of the Year honours, on his way to sixth in the Atlantic Division.[3][5][7]

Andretti moved into the CART ranks in 1990, joining his father and brother, making racing history, making it the first time a father has competed against his two sons in a CART race. After failing to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, he make his race debut with TEAMKAR International in their Lola-Cosworth T89/00 in the Miller Genuine Draft 200 on the Milwaukee Mile, only to suffer mechanical problems and not finish. He sat out the rest of the season, returning in 1991, doing a full season with Bayside Disposal Racing, driving their Texaco Havoline Star sponsored Lola-Cosworth T91/00. With four top ten finishes throughout the season, three of which were the first three races, the best being a 7th place in the Gold Coast IndyCar Grand Prix; the race incidentally won by his cousin, John, earning the CART Rookie of the Year title.[3][8][9]

In May 1991, Andretti qualified 11th for the Indianapolis 500, coupled with an outstanding performance before mechanical problems earned him the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year title. He followed Mario and Michael in making it the first time ever that three members of the same family had achieved this.[10]

Earlier that year, Jeff joined Mario and Michael to race for Jochen Dauer Racing in the SunBank 24 at Daytona. Although their Porsche 962C was classified in fifth place, they failed to finish due to overheating.[11]

Without a full-time drive for 1992, Andretti returned to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with A. J. Foyt Enterprises. However, he became yet another victim of the infamous Andretti Curse at the famed race track when on lap 109, a right rear wheel came loose off his car at turn 2 and he crashed violently head-on into the wall, smashing both his legs. He spent three weeks at the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, before the long road to recovery, determined to race again in 1993.[3][12]

It was February 1993, when Andretti set the unofficial closed-course speed record for IndyCars of 234.50 mph, the fastest speed ever recorded at Texas World Speedway, while testing for the Indianapolis 500. This marked his first time back in an IndyCar since the accident the previous year. Andretti's fast run came at the conclusion of two days of testing where he consistently posted laps in the 230 mph range. Andretti's Buick-powered Lola was prepared by Pagan Racing. It was at the Indy, that Andretti made his complete his comeback, only to record a third straight DNF.[3][13]

The accident severely hampered Andretti's career, at least in terms of his competitiveness, since he was never the same afterwards. In 1994, Jeff did a one-off race with Euromotorsports, finishing 17th in the Slick 50 200, held at Phoenix Raceway, 21 laps adrift. In May 1994, Jeff switched to Hemelgarn Racing, but his bid for a fourth consecutive start failed due to a blown Buick engine.[14][3]

Andretti returned to racing full-time at the Indy Lights with Canaska Racing in 1995, but recorded just one top-ten finish. In 1996, he stepped away from open-wheel racing and joined the tin-top brigade, racing to seventh place overall in the North American Touring Car Championship in a Leitzinger Racing prepared Ford Mondeo. After a gap of three year, he moved to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 94 Chevrolet for Enerjetix Motorsports, he raced in three events in 1999, posting a best finish of 30th at the Milwaukee Mile.[3][5][15][16]

Andretti is now retired from competitive racing, and works as a driving instructor.[17]

Racing record

[edit]

Career highlights

[edit]
Season Series Position Team Car
1985 Robert Bosch Formula Super Vee Championship[18][19] 5th Ralt American Ralt-Volkswagen RT5
1986 CART American Racing Series[20][21] 2nd Ralph Sanchez Racing March-Buick 86A/2
1987 CART American Racing Series[22][23] 2nd Arciero Racing March-Buick 86A
1988 HFC American Racing Series[24][25] 21st Hemelgarn Racing
Agapiou Racing 		March-Buick 86A
1989 SCCA Toyota Atlantic Championship - Atlantic Division[7][26] 6th Newman Racing Reynard-Toyota 89H
HFC American Racing Series[27][28] 27th Baci Racing March-Buick 86A
1990 CART PPG Indy Car World Series[29] 38th TEAMKAR International Lola-Cosworth T89/00
1991 CART PPG Indy Car World Series[30] 15th Bayside Disposal Racing Lola-Cosworth T91/00
USAC Gold Crown Series[31] 15th Bayside Disposal Racing Lola-Cosworth T91/00
Camel GT Championship season[32][33] 29th Jochen Dauer Racing Porsche 962C
1992 USAC Gold Crown Series[34] 18th A. J. Foyt Enterprises Lola-Chevrolet T91/00
CART PPG Indy Car World Series[35] 49th A. J. Foyt Enterprises Lola-Chevrolet T91/00
1993 USAC Gold Crown Series[36] 29th Pagan Racing Lola-Buick T92/00
CART PPG Indy Car World Series[37] 53rd Pagan Racing Lola-Buick T92/00
1994 CART PPG Indy Car World Series[38][39] 44th Euromotosport
Hemelgarn Racing 		Lola-Ilmor T93/00
Lola-Buick T92/00
1995 PPG/Firestone Indy Lights Championship powered by Buick[40][41] 19th Camaska Racing Lola-Buick T93/20
1996 North American Touring Car Championship[42][43] 7th Leitzinger Racing Ford Mondeo Ghia
1999 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series[44][45] 64th Enerjetix Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

SCCA National Championship Runoffs

[edit]
Year Track Car Engine Class Finish Start Status
1984 Road Atlanta Swift DB1 Ford Formula Ford 35 2 Retired

Complete 24 Hours of Daytona results

[edit]
Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
1984 United States 901 Shop United States Mike Schaefer
United States Nick Nicholson
United States Jeff Refenning 		Porsche 911 SC GTU 258 43rd
(DNF) 		12th
(DNF)
1988 Italy Buick Momo March United States Steve Phillips
Republic of Ireland Michael Roe 		March-Buick 86G GTP 485 53rd
(DNF) 		14th
(DNF)
1991 West Germany Jochen Dauer Racing United States Mario Andretti
United States Michael Andretti 		Porsche 962C GTP 663 5th
(DNF) 		3rd
(DNF)

Complete 12 Hours of Sebring results

[edit]
Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
1993 United States Auto Toy Store South Africa Wayne Taylor
United States Morris Shirazi 		Spice-Chevrolet SE90P GTP 165 37th
(DNF) 		7th
(DNF)

American open wheel racing results

[edit]

(key)

American Racing Series / Indy Lights

[edit]
American Racing Series / Indy Lights results
Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Rank Points
1986 Ralph Sanchez Racing PHX1
5 		MIL
3 		MEA
10 		TOR
10 		POC
1 		MOH
4 		ROA
2 		LS
14 		PHX2
4 		MIA
3 		2nd 107
1987 Arciero Racing PHX
1 		MIL
11 		MEA
2 		CLE
4 		TOR
8 		POC
2 		MOH
5 		NAZ
3 		LS
7 		MIA
1 		2nd 123
1988 Hemelgarn Racing PHX
14 		MIL
11 		POR
11 		CLE TOR MEA MIA
17 		23rd 5
Agapiou Racing POC
14 		MOH ROA NAZ LS
1989 Baci Racing PHX LBH MIL DET POR MEA TOR POC MOH ROA NAZ
10 		LS 27th 3
1995 Canaska Racing MIA
15 		PHX
DNS 		LBH
20 		NAZ
10 		MIL
19 		DET
12 		POR TOR
11 		CLE
20 		NHA
7 		VAN LS 19th 12

CART

[edit]
PPG IndyCar World Series results
Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Rank Points Ref
1990 TEAMKAR International Lola T89/00 Cosworth DFS V8t PHX
 LBH
 INDY
DNQ 		MIL
17 		DET
 POR
 CLE
 MEA
 TOR
 MIS
 DEN
 VAN
 MOH
 ROA
 NAZ
 LAG
 37th 0 [46]
1991 Bayside Disposal Racing Lola T91/00 Cosworth DFS V8t SRF
7 		LBH
9 		PHX
10 		INDY
15 		MIL
11 		DET
16 		POR
12 		CLE
16 		MEA
23 		TOR
9 		MIS
12 		DEN
12 		VAN
11 		MOH
22 		ROA
18 		NAZ
11 		LAG
13 		15th 26 [47]
1992 A. J. Foyt Enterprises Lola T91/00 Chevrolet 265A V8t SRF
 PHX
 LBH
 INDY
18 		DET
 POR
 MIL
 NHA
 TOR
 MIC
 CLE
 ROA
 VAN
 MOH
 NAZ
 LAG
 49th 0 [48]
1993 Pagan Racing Lola T92/00 Buick 3300 V6t SRF
 PHX
 LBH
 INDY
29 		MIL
 DET
 POR
 CLE
 TOR
 MIC
 NHA
 ROA
 VAN
 MOH
 NAZ
 LAG
 53rd 0 [49]
1994 Euromotorsports Lola T93/00 Ilmor 265C V8t SRF
 PHX
17 		LBH
 44th 0 [50]
Hemelgarn Racing Lola T92/00 Buick 3300 V6t INDY
DNQ 		MIL
 DET
 POR
 CLE
 TOR
 MIC
 MOH
 NHA
 VAN
 ROA
 NAZ
 LAG

Indianapolis 500

[edit]
Year Chassis Engine Start Finish
1990 Lola T89/00 Cosworth DFS V8t DNQ
1991 Lola T91/00 Cosworth DFS V8t 11 15
1992 Lola T91/00 Chevrolet 265A V8t 20 18
1993 Lola T92/00 Buick 3300 V6t 16 29
1994 Lola T92/00 Buick 3300 V6t DNQ

NASCAR

[edit]

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Craftsman Truck Series

[edit]
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 NCTC Pts Ref
1999 Enerjetix Motorsports 94 Chevy HOM PHO EVG MMR MAR MEM PPR I70 BRI TEX
31 		PIR GLN MLW
30 		NSV NZH
31 		MCH NHA IRP GTY HPT RCH LVS LVL TEX CAL 64th 213 [51]

North American Touring Car Championship

[edit]

(key)

North American Touring Car Championship results
Year Team No. Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 NATCC Pts
1996 Leitzinger Racing 5 Ford Mondeo LRP LRP DET
5 		DET
6 		PIR
6 		PIR
6 		TOR
DNS 		TOR
DNS 		TRV
9 		TRV
5 		MOH
6 		MOH
10 		VAN
6 		VAN
7 		LS
9 		LS
5 		7th 106

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jeff Andretti

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jeff Andretti (born April 14, 1964) is an American former professional race car driver and motorsports entrepreneur, best known as the youngest son of and champion . He competed in the / from 1990 to 1994, where he earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1991 after qualifying 11th and finishing 15th in his debut that year. Andretti's early racing career included success in junior formulas, such as a fifth-place finish in the 1985 championship with three wins and runner-up positions in the American Racing Series in both 1986 and 1987. His open-wheel career was marked by three appearances (1991–1993), though it was hampered by accidents in 1992 and 1993, including significant injuries from the 1992 crash that limited his competitiveness. Beyond , he raced in Indy Lights in 1995, the in 1999 with three starts, and the North American Touring Car Championship in 1996. After retiring from full-time driving, Andretti founded Jeff Andretti Motorsports (JAM), a company providing driver development, consulting, sponsorship management, and team support across various racing disciplines including and . As the brother of champion and uncle to , he remains connected to the prominent Andretti racing dynasty.

Early life

Family background

Jeff Andretti was born on April 14, 1964, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He is the youngest son of Mario Andretti, the 1978 Formula One World Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner, and his wife Dee Ann Andretti (d. 2018). Andretti's immediate family is deeply embedded in motorsports, with his older brother becoming a successful driver and team owner, while their sister Andretti supported the family's racing endeavors. His uncle , Mario's identical twin, was also a professional racer, and cousin competed extensively in open-wheel and series. The extended Andretti family holds a unique distinction as the first to have four relatives—Mario, Michael, Jeff, and John—competing simultaneously in the /Champ Car series during the 1991 and 1992 seasons. Raised in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where the Andretti family settled after emigrating from Italy in 1955, Jeff grew up immersed in a racing-centric environment. From an early age, he was exposed to the sport through his father's and uncle's races at the nearby , a dirt track where Mario made his U.S. racing debut in 1959. This heritage profoundly shaped his path, influencing his transition to formal education at amid family expectations tied to motorsport excellence.

Education and early interests

Jeff Andretti attended in . From a young age, Andretti showed an early interest in automobiles, influenced by his family's deep-rooted involvement in motorsports. Growing up as the youngest son of racing legend , he was exposed to the world of through family discussions and attendance at events, which sparked his passion for speed and mechanics. This familial legacy served as a key motivational factor in his development, though he initially explored the sport casually rather than committing fully. Andretti's initial hands-on experiences came through go-karting, which he began as a young child, participating for several years on local circuits as a hobby before formal competition. By age 13, however, he temporarily retired from racing to focus on other pursuits during his teenage years. At 16, he rekindled his interest and decided to pursue racing more seriously, forgoing alternative career paths to test his abilities in the sport. This renewed commitment marked a pivotal shift, leading him to train intensively and absorb technical knowledge from his family's expertise.

Racing career

Early competitions

Jeff Andretti began his competitive racing career in junior formulas in 1983, entering the category where he demonstrated immediate promise. Driving for the team, he secured the Eastern Division championship in the Skip Barber Series, earning Rookie of the Year honors in the process. That same year, Andretti also claimed the USAC Pro Ford Championship, winning multiple races including a dominant performance at the season-opening event at . Building on this success, Andretti progressed to the SCCA Runoffs in 1984, competing in aboard a Swift DB1. He qualified second for the event at but retired early after completing only five of 18 laps due to mechanical issues, finishing outside the top positions. Prior to this national-level exposure, Andretti had won regional titles, including the SCCA Northeast Division championship in 1982, which helped solidify his transition to more prominent series. In 1985, Andretti advanced to , racing a RT5 for Ralt America. He achieved three victories—at , Portland, and another key round—en route to fifth place in the Formula Super Vee Championship with 112 points, marking a strong developmental step with consistent podium finishes. Andretti's trajectory continued upward in 1986 when he entered the inaugural season of the American Racing Series (ARS) with Ralph Sanchez Racing, driving a March 85C-Buick. He finished runner-up in the championship, highlighted by a victory at , his only win that year but a pivotal result that showcased his adaptability to higher-powered machinery. The following year, 1987, Andretti remained with the series and again secured second place overall, with strong performances including a podium at the Phoenix International Raceway opener, though he was edged out by series champion Tommy Byrne. By 1988, Andretti continued in the ARS but faced challenges, scoring just five points across the season after a promising at the Mid-Ohio opener ended in a crash, limiting his results thereafter. In 1989, he shifted to the Atlantic Championship's Atlantic Division, where he competed without a victory but earned sixth place in the standings, gaining valuable experience on road courses that prepared him for professional open-wheel racing. These early achievements, bolstered by his family's racing heritage, opened doors to elite opportunities.

Open-wheel racing

Jeff Andretti made his debut in the CART PPG Indy Car World Series in 1990 with TeamKAR International, competing in a single race at that time while driving a Lola T89/00 chassis powered by a Cosworth DFS engine. Andretti's breakthrough came in 1991, when he joined Bayside Motorsports for a full-season rookie campaign, entering 17 races and earning the series' Jim Trueman Rookie of the Year award. His standout performances included ninth-place finishes at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and the Molson Indy Toronto, both in a Lola T91/00 with Cosworth power. At the Indianapolis 500, he qualified 11th with a speed of 217.632 mph and completed 150 laps to finish 15th before an engine failure sidelined him. Over the next three seasons, Andretti added four more starts to reach a career total of 21 Champ Car races from 1990 to 1994, primarily in Lola chassis fitted with engines from , Chevrolet, , and . In 1992, he raced for Enterprises, qualifying 20th at 219.306 mph for his second start and finishing 18th after 109 laps. The following year with Pagan Racing, he secured a 16th-place qualifying position at 220.572 mph but retired after 124 laps in the . Andretti's 1994 season with Euromotorsport and Hemelgarn Racing was limited to one start, and he failed to qualify for a fourth consecutive . Notable venues in his career included , where he competed in the 1991 Marlboro 500.

Endurance and stock car racing

Following his time in open-wheel racing, Jeff Andretti expanded into endurance racing in the late 1980s and early 1990s, participating in IMSA Camel GT events such as the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. In 1988, he entered the Daytona 24 Hours driving a March 86G for the Buick Momo March team in the GTP class, starting 28th but retiring after engine failure, finishing 53rd overall. That same year, he was part of the Momo Racing entry for the Sebring 12 Hours in the same March 86G GTP car, starting 11th but ending 64th due to oil pressure issues. Andretti's endurance efforts drew on his open-wheel experience for tactical pacing in longer races, though mechanical reliability often limited results. Andretti continued in endurance with notable team efforts, including the 1991 Daytona 24 Hours alongside family members and in a 962C for Jochen Dauer Racing in the GTP class; the team qualified 6th and finished 5th overall before overheating sidelined the car, with Jeff contributing to the strong run. In 1993, he competed at Sebring for Auto in a SE90P GTP car, starting 13th but retiring 37th due to engine failure. These outings represented Andretti's diversification into amid shifting opportunities in open-wheel series. In the 1990s, Andretti ventured into , competing in the inaugural 1996 North American Touring Car Championship for Leitzinger Racing in a Ghia. He raced in 12 events, achieving a season-best of three fifth-place finishes—at (Race 1), (Race 2), and (Race 2)—while posting consistent top-10 results in several others, such as sixth places at Portland, Mid-Ohio, and . These performances earned him seventh in the final drivers' standings with 106 points, highlighting his adaptability to the series' close-quarters wheel-to-wheel combat. Andretti's stock car pursuits culminated in a brief foray into the in 1999 with Enerjetix Motorsports, driving the No. 94 Chevrolet in three events as a late-career diversification move following open-wheel setbacks. He debuted at on June 11, starting 35th and finishing 31st after overheating issues. At the on July 3, Andretti achieved his best result, starting 33rd and placing 30th despite handling problems following a practice crash. His final start came at on August 6, where he finished 31st after a late-race incident, ending the season 64th in points with 213.

Injury and retirement

During the 1992 Indianapolis 500, on lap 109, Jeff Andretti's No. 14 Racing Lola-Chevrolet suffered a mechanical failure when the right rear wheel cover detached, causing the car to slam nose-first into the Turn 2 wall at over 200 mph. The impact resulted in severe bilateral fractures to his lower legs, ankles, and feet, including shattered heels on both feet, making him the most seriously injured driver of the race. Extraction from the wreckage took 18 minutes, and Andretti underwent 5.5 hours of later that day, led by Drs. Terry Trammell, Joe Baele, and Kevin Scheid, to repair the extensive damage. Andretti's recovery involved a long and intensive rehabilitation process, during which he was determined to return to racing despite expectations of a prolonged recuperation. By February 1993, just nine months after the crash, he conducted testing at Texas World Speedway in a 1992 Buick-powered Lola, achieving an unofficial closed-course IndyCar speed record of 234.5 mph on the eighth lap of a 10-lap run—surpassing previous marks set by Rick Mears and his brother Michael Andretti. This milestone, on his second day back testing, demonstrated his perseverance, as he later reflected: "I worked my butt off to get back into the seat again." Andretti returned to competition at the , qualifying 16th and finishing 29th in what would be his final start at . The injuries significantly diminished his competitiveness in open-wheel , limiting him to sporadic appearances in through 1994 and subsequent part-time efforts in sports cars and stock cars. He made his last competitive starts in 1999 with three outings in the driving the No. 94 Chevrolet for Enerjetix Motorsports, after which he retired from . The accident ultimately redirected his focus from full-time driving to other roles within motorsports, a shift he attributed to the lasting physical toll and his drive for perseverance: "Perseverance does pay off."

Post-racing career

Driving instruction

Following his retirement from competitive racing, Jeff Andretti began his career as a , drawing on his experience to teach at established programs such as the Driver's Edge high-performance driving school. At Driver's Edge, he serves as a lead instructor, guiding participants through advanced track techniques and vehicle control in a variety of performance cars. Andretti had accumulated over 20 years of instructional experience by 2024, expanding his efforts through his own company, Jeff Andretti Motorsports, where he offers specialized programs including private coaching for race preparation, simulator testing, and on-track support during test sessions and events. His methodologies prioritize high-performance driving techniques, such as precision braking, cornering optimization, and adaptive racing lines, while integrating simulator-based scenario training to simulate real-world conditions without risk. A key aspect of his teaching incorporates lessons from his own 1992 injury, which resulted in severe leg and foot trauma, underscoring the importance of protocols, strategies, and physical conditioning to mitigate crash risks in motorsports. Andretti's clientele spans amateur enthusiasts seeking foundational skills to professional racers preparing for competition, with a focus on personalized development plans that include career guidance and performance analysis. Notable among his students are family members, including his nephew , whom he has coached in open-wheel racing contexts to refine technique and racecraft. Through these efforts, he emphasizes holistic skill-building, combining technical proficiency with mental resilience to prepare drivers for the demands of professional circuits.

Business and coaching ventures

Following his racing career, Jeff Andretti founded Jeff Andretti Motorsports (JAM), a venture focused on comprehensive driver development that encompasses guidance, brand building, and health/wellness consulting for aspiring professionals. JAM provides tailored support services, including simulator testing, organized track days, test sessions, and on-site race support, extending to both drivers and riders to foster holistic growth on and off the track. Andretti also launched the Jeff Andretti Coaching Group, which delivers high-performance coaching programs designed for racing drivers through a mix of online sessions and in-person training to enhance skills and mental resilience. These offerings build on his foundational experience in driving instruction, adapting proven techniques to structured business models for broader accessibility. Andretti serves as Managing Partner with Team Steam Nation, where he manages select drivers and contributes to educational initiatives that integrate motorsports with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning, including team development and event organization. JAM continues to provide driver and team development, with ongoing operations documented on official platforms.

Racing record

Career highlights

  • 1983: Won the USAC Pro Ford Championship, securing the title in Formula Ford racing.
  • 1991: Earned CART Champ Car Rookie of the Year honors after finishing 15th in the championship standings, with four top-10 finishes.
  • 1991: Made his Indianapolis 500 debut, qualifying 11th and finishing 15th.
  • 1991: Part of the first quartet of Andretti family members to enter the Indianapolis 500 simultaneously, alongside Mario, Michael, and John Andretti.
  • 1992: Competed in his second Indianapolis 500, starting 20th but retiring after a crash.
  • 1993: Set an unofficial closed-course speed record for IndyCars at 234.5 mph during testing at Texas World Speedway.

SCCA National Runoffs

Jeff Andretti participated in the SCCA National Runoffs in Formula F, achieving limited success.
YearClassCarStartFinishLapsStatus
1984Formula FSwift DB12DNF5/18Mechanical

24 Hours of Daytona

Andretti competed in the three times, with a best finish of 5th overall in 1991.
YearTeamCarClassGridFinishLapsStatusCo-Drivers
1984901 Shop SCGTU7843-DNF (mechanical)Various
1988 Momo MarchMarch 86GGTP2853-DNF (engine), Michael Roe
1991Jochen Dauer Racing 962CGTP65657Running,

12 Hours of Sebring

Andretti entered the twice, both ending in DNFs due to mechanical issues.
YearTeamCarClassGridFinishLapsStatusCo-Drivers
1988Momo RacingMarch 86GGTP1164-DNF (oil pressure)Did not drive
1993Auto Toy Store SE90PGTP1337-DNF (engine)Various

American Racing Series / Indy Lights

Andretti raced in the American Racing Series (predecessor to Indy Lights) in 1986 and 1987, finishing 2nd in points both years with 2 wins in 1987, and in Indy Lights in 1995 with 8 starts and 1 win. American Racing Series Totals (1986-1987): 2 championships runner-up finishes, 2 wins, multiple podiums.
YearSeriesTeamStartsWinsPolesPodiumsPointsPosition
1986ARSVarious1000Unknown1062nd
1987ARSVarious102Unknown51232nd
1995Indy LightsCanaska Racing81021219th

CART (including Indy 500)

Andretti competed in from 1990 to 1994, accumulating 21 starts, 0 wins, 0 poles, 0 podiums, and 8 DNFs, with best finishes of 9th in regular events and 15th at the Indy 500. He was the 1991 Rookie of the Year. CART Career Totals: 21 starts, 0 wins, 0 poles, 0 top-5, 4 top-10, 8 DNFs, 2214 laps completed.
YearStartsWinsPolesTop-5Top-10DNFsAvg. FinishPointsPosition
199010000117.00-
1991170004513.42615th
199210000118.00-
199310000129.00-
199410000017.0044th
Indianapolis 500 Results:
YearStartFinishLapsStatusCar/Team
19911115150/200EngineLola/ - Bruce Leven
19922018109/200CrashLola/ - Enterprises
19931629124/200AccidentLola/ - Pagan Racing

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Andretti made 3 starts in the 1999 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, all resulting in DNFs due to mechanical issues. Totals: 3 starts, 0 wins, 0 poles, 0 top-5, 0 top-10, 3 DNFs, 154 laps.
YearRaceTrackStartFinishLapsStatusTeam/Car
199910Texas353124/67IgnitionEnerjetix/Chevrolet
199913Michigan3330100/100IgnitionEnerjetix/Chevrolet
199915Nazareth323122/200EngineEnerjetix/Chevrolet

North American Touring Car Championship

In the inaugural 1996 NATCC season, Andretti competed in the Championship class for Leitzinger Racing, achieving 16 entries (some DNS) with multiple top-10 finishes and placing 7th in points. Totals: 16 starts (including DNS), 0 wins, 0 poles, 3 top-5, 7 top-10, unknown DNFs, 106 points, 7th place.
YearTeam/CarStartsWinsPolesTop-5Top-10DNFsPointsPosition
1996Leitzinger Racing / Ghia160037Unknown1067th

References

  1. https://www.racing-reference.info/driver/Jeff_Andretti/
  2. http://www.historicracing.com/driverDetail.cfm?driverID=3324
  3. https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/history/historical-stats/driver-stats/drivers/jeff-andretti
  4. https://racer.com/2017/05/22/rear-view-jeff-andretti-s-life-changing-1992-500
  5. http://www.jeffandrettimotorsports.com/
  6. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1223328/bio/
  7. https://obits.lehighvalleylive.com/us/obituaries/etpa/name/dee-andretti-obituary?id=12984364
  8. https://www.nbcsports.com/motor-sports/news/dee-ann-andretti-wife-of-mario-andretti-dies
  9. https://sidepodcast.com/post/racing-families-andrettis
  10. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-26-sp-629-story.html
  11. https://www.mcall.com/2016/05/28/andretti-family-curse-at-indy-500-a-matter-of-perspective/
  12. https://www.thehenryford.org/explore/stories-of-innovation/visionaries/mario-andretti/
  13. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffandretticoachinggroup
  14. https://doctorindy.com/2025/08/06/the-jigger-award/
  15. https://www.mcall.com/1999/12/26/andretti-family-amid-the-triumphs-heartbreak-too/
  16. https://www.mcall.com/1985/06/16/jeff-andretti-hes-quickly-making-up-for-lost-time/
  17. https://forums.autosport.com/topic/76624-formula-ford-andretti/
  18. https://www.oldracingcars.com/driver/Jeff_Andretti
  19. https://legacy.driverdb.com/championships/standings/scca-national-championship-runoffs-formula-f/1984
  20. https://www.oldracingcars.com/fsv/us/1985/
  21. https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/jeff-andretti
  22. https://www.oldracingcars.com/ars/1987/
  23. https://www.oldracingcars.com/ars/1988/
  24. https://www.snaplap.net/driver/jeff-andretti/
  25. http://www.champcarstats.com/year/1991.htm
  26. http://www.champcarstats.com/races/199111.htm
  27. https://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/archive/Jeff-Andretti-USA.html
  28. https://www.supertouringregister.com/driver/506/
  29. https://nascarreference.com/driver/drvhistall.php?DriverID=2351&Series=3
  30. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/05/25/Three-drivers-have-surgery/3882706766400/
  31. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-05-26-sp-232-story.html
  32. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/02/23/Andretti-setsunofficial-oval-track-record/1309730443600/
  33. https://driversedge.org/the-team/jeff-andretti/
  34. http://www.jeffandrettimotorsports.com/forDrivers.htm
  35. https://jeffandretticoachinggroup.com/
  36. http://www.autoracingrecords.com/series.php?srid=00073
  37. https://www.indycar.com/Fan-Info/INDYCAR-101/Awards/Rookie-Award
  38. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-26-sp-3791-story.html
  39. https://legacy.driverdb.com/championships/standings/scca-national-championship-runoffs-formula-f/1984/
  40. https://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Daytona-1984-02-05.html
  41. https://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Daytona-1988-01-31.html
  42. https://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Daytona-1991-02-03.html
  43. https://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Sebring-1988-03-19.html
  44. https://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Sebring-1993-03-20.html
  45. https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/drivers/jeff-andretti/
  46. https://race-database.com/driver/career.php?driver_id=jandr2
  47. https://www.driveraverages.com/nascar_truckseries/driver.php?drv_id=2562
  48. https://www.touringcars.net/database/qualifying.php?id=938
  49. https://www.touringcars.net/database/race.php?id=1093
  50. https://www.touringcars.net/database/race.php?id=1072
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