At the 109th Indianapolis 500 held on May 25, Scott Dixon set a new milestone by starting his 408th IndyCar race, breaking Mario Andretti’s long-held record of 407 starts. Andretti, a retired four-time champion who made his final IndyCar appearance at Laguna Seca in 1994, held the record for decades until Dixon, a six-time series champion, overtook it during his 23rd Indy 500 appearance, starting the race from fourth place — the same position as his first Indy 500 start in 2003.
Prior to the race, Mario Andretti, winner of the 1969 Indianapolis 500, recorded a video message congratulating Dixon for this achievement, which IndyCar shared on social media. The legendary champion expressed his respect and admiration for Dixon’s consistency and longevity in the sport.
“Congratulations! You are just breaking another one of my records (laughs). But this is a good thing,” Andretti said. “Records are made to be broken, and no better than a champion like yourself. 407… now you’re going for 408, you and I know what it takes to reach a record like this.”
“You have to be truly blessed in this business, as competitive as it is, I’m looking at yourself and your career, right now, you are a force in the sport like you’ve been from the beginning. It’s amazing, your resilience, your ability to stay at the top, it’s something very admirable. Love you, champ,” he added.
Scott Dixon’s significant milestones and continued success in IndyCar
Scott Dixon has not only broken Andretti’s record for race starts but has also matched and surpassed other career achievements of the legendary driver. In 2022, Dixon equaled Andretti’s record for most IndyCar wins at 52 with a victory in Toronto, then advanced past him after winning at Nashville later that season. Two years after these landmarks, Dixon matched Andretti’s record with his 141st podium finish in Toronto and further extended it with another podium at Milwaukee.
Despite mechanical setbacks during the recent Indy 500—his No. 9 Honda caught fire on the pace lap—Dixon persevered to finish in 20th place, demonstrating his determination and resilience. Meanwhile, his Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Alex Palou triumphed with his first oval victory at this iconic event.
Mutual respect and admiration between Scott Dixon and Mario Andretti
The relationship between Dixon and Andretti is defined by mutual respect and shared passion for IndyCar racing. Dixon, speaking about Andretti’s congratulatory message, expressed deep appreciation for his racing idol’s support and advocacy for the sport.
“Oh wow, that’s very cool. Yeah, one of my biggest heroes. I enjoyed watching Mario and (his son) Michael, for many years. I think we’re so lucky that both of them and the likes of AJ (Foyt) are still at many of our races. You couldn’t have a bigger advocate for our sport than Mario, so that truly means a lot.”
Dixon also acknowledged the longtime support of his team and crew, including Chip Ganassi Racing and his No. 9 squad, before offering a heartfelt message to Andretti.
“Mario, I love you man, and thank you for what you’ve done for the sport and what you continue to do for our sport. You’re my hero, man. Cheers.”
Mario and Michael Andretti witness family legacy continuing at Indianapolis
Mario Andretti and his son Michael attended the 109th Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, supporting the new generation of drivers. They were present to watch Marco Andretti, Mario’s grandson and Michael’s son, make his 20th attempt at winning the famed race. Unfortunately, Marco’s race ended prematurely in the first turn after contact with Jack Harvey, who continued without damage.
While Dixon faced challenges during the race, his record-breaking accomplishment highlights his position as one of the greatest forces in IndyCar history. His breaking of Mario Andretti’s race start record, combined with his multiple victories and podiums, cements his legacy and points toward continued success in the seasons ahead.
