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THE RACERS EDGE

Editor note: For the next few months we will be featuring short essays written by motorsports drivers who began their careers with karting. This month we feature John Andretti.

WHAT KARTING MEANS TO ME
By John Andretti

When you get a ball and bat, it does not take long before he — and his Dad — think about him becoming a major leaguer. It starts with a dream and with some folks, it becomes a vision that never fades away. When my brother and I began to run go-karts, I was a 9-year old with a dream. Karting provided the experience and the opportunity to turn the dream into a vision.

Of course, our family was well-entrenched in racing, but karting was the key for me to develop my own identity as a driver. My Dad made us take care of our own karts — we could not go racing unless they were clean and well-prepared. From the very beginning, it gave me an awareness of racing as being more than jumping in the seat and stepping on the gas.

Our first races were on a track just down the street from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a place that obviously is the pinnacle of all motorsports. I have had the privilege and thrill to be there in more than dozen races – IndyCar race and Brickyard events — and it all started with karts!

There are a lot of fond memories for me in karting. Some of the people that watched, helped and supported me in karts are still friends and continue to follow my career. The first time that I raced against my cousin Michael was in a go-kart. As a matter of fact, the first go-kart I raced was Michael’s first go-kart!

While karting competition is a great sport in itself, karting has always been an ideal place to start dreaming—even if your last name is Andretti!

END

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