Five Drivers Who Have Survived Wrecks They Shouldn’t Have

Mario Andretti

Mario’s racing career was amazing, but he was never very lucky when it came to the Indy 500. He won it in 1969, but apart from that occasion he ran the entire distance only five times in 29 starts. In 1992 the “Andretti Curse” in the Indy 500 struck again.

During the restart on lap 83 he suddenly got loose in turn four, smashing the wall head-on. He fractured six toes in the accident and while in hospital he was joined by his son Jeff who broke both legs later in the race.

Mario retired in 1994. But when he had the chance to get back behind the wheel in 2003 he couldn’t say no. His son Michael needed a substitute driver to qualify Tony Kanaan’s car for the 500 (Kanaan had broken an arm in a crash at Motegi). The 63 year-old was supposed t be that driver. During practice though, he hit some debris left by the wrecking car of Bräck and went airborne flipping multiple times.

He miraculously walked away with just a couple scratches but never competed again. The patriarch of the Andretti racing family now still drives the Indycar two-seater before the start of the races.