ANDRETTI TO HONOR GRANDFATHER WITH PHOENIX CAR’S PAINT SCHEME

ANDRETTI TO HONOR GRANDFATHER WITH PHOENIX CAR’S PAINT SCHEME

Story By: INDYcar Media

Photos By: INDYcar & Dave Dalesandro/RacersGuide.com

Marco Andretti will honor his grandfather in the upcoming Phoenix Grand Prix by driving a car with a paint scheme like the one that Mario Andretti drove to the final victory of his illustrious Indy car career 25 years ago at the same track.

ISM Raceway is commemorating the silver anniversary of Mario Andretti’s win in 1993 on the 1.022-mile oval during the April 6-7 race weekend. It was the 52nd and final win for the four-time season champion and 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner who retired in 1994.

Marco Andretti’s No. 98 Andretti-Herta Autosport Honda with have sponsorship from Oberto Beef Jerky and Circle K for the Phoenix Grand Prix. The car will also feature a black, white and red color scheme similar to the one Mario Andretti drove when he won in the No. 6 Kmart/Texaco Havoline car on April 4, 1993. Mario Andretti is being honored for the victory throughout the Phoenix Grand Prix weekend.

“We’re really excited to see Oberto back on the car this year. Andretti Autosport has built a strong relationship with them and we’re happy to continue to grow the partnership,” Marco Andretti said. “When the idea of a throwback livery celebrating my grandfather’s final win was thrown around, Oberto was ready to get to the drawing board. The black, white and red car resembles many of my family’s race cars and was a big part of my life growing up. It’s really cool to be able to add one of my cars to that family legacy.”

Oberto Beef Jerky first appeared on Marco Andretti’s Indy car last year at ISM Raceway and again at Gateway Motorsports Park near St. Louis in August. Oberto and Circle K have also been sponsors for Andretti Autosport’s back-to-back championships in Global Rallycross.

“Oberto is thrilled to partner with Andretti-Herta Autosport and our retail partner Circle K for this great anniversary event, said Tom Hernquist, CEO, Oberto Brands. “As a company celebrating our own landmark anniversary this year (100 years), the pairing of one of the greatest names in racing with the nation’s leading all-natural beef jerky is a perfect match. The Andretti name embodies our brand’s tagline of ‘You get out what you put in’ and we are excited to see Marco on the track in Phoenix.”

Fans can shop at Phoenix-area Circle K stores for a chance to win Phoenix Grand Prix tickets courtesy of Oberto Beef Jerky. Tickets are also available at ismraceway.com. The race airs live at 9 p.m. ET April 7 on NBCSN and the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network.