INDIANAPOLIS — Aldo Andretti, the twin brother of IndyCar legend Mario Andretti, has died. He was 80 years old.
Andretti died Wednesday night in Indianapolis, according to a statement from Andretti Autosport.
Mario Andretti mourned his brother's death in a tweet Thursday afternoon and referred to him as his "faithful best friend."
"Aldo Andretti, my loving twin brother, my partner in crime and my faithful best friend every day of my life was called to heaven last night. Half of me went with him. There is no eloquence. I'm shaken to my core," he wrote.
The Andretti brothers were teenagers in 1955 when their family immigrated to the United States from Montona, Italy and settled in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
Both Aldo and Mario embarked on racing careers, however, Aldo retired in 1969 following a severe crash in Des Moines, Iowa.
"Though Aldo’s life took a different direction than brother Mario’s, Aldo forever shared a passion for racing and was a true motor enthusiast and entrepreneur," a statement from Andretti Autosport said. "He could often still be found on the racing circuit supporting and following the careers of the family."
Aldo Andretti, my loving twin brother, my partner in crime and my faithful best friend every day of my life was called to heaven last night. Half of me went with him. There is no eloquence. I'm shaken to my core. pic.twitter.com/NJ3fZxklNo
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) December 31, 2020
Andretti is survived by his wife, Corky, and children Carolyn, Mark, Mary Jo and Adam. His son, John Andretti, who competed in multiple levels of racing, including 393 NASCAR races over 17 years, died Jan. 30.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon Tuesday at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Brownsburg. The family will receive friends from 4-7:30 p.m. Monday at Stevens Mortuary in Indianapolis.
