Celebrity

The Professional NASCAR Race Driver, John Andretti Died At 56 After Surviving Three Years of Colon Cancer

In the year 2020 when many famous stars left the world, leaving behind their fans mourn on their death, a famous IndyCar and NASCAR race driver, John Andretti also stood up on the queue of the list. Sadly, he left the world at the age of 56 on Thursday after battling colon cancer for three years. The news of his death was first released by The Andrettin Autosport team that spread a huge silence among his fans and well-wishers.

John had first revealed the news of his diagnosis from colon cancer back in April 2017. Since then, his fans started encouraging Andretti using the hashtag “CheckIt4Andretti” all over the social media. He was married to his wife now widower, Nancy Andretti and shared two children; a son and a daughter. As a matter of fact, his son, Jarett made his Indy debut in Indy Lights back in May 2019 and finished sixth in the race.

The father who always tried to inspire his son, John left his family in haste. Many of the Andretti family members are active in the race at Indy. Let’s discuss the news of John’s death and after conditions. Stay tuned.

Death At The Age of 56 Due To Colon Cancer: Explained

Back in January 2017, John Andretti was diagnosed with colon cancer which changed his life. The disease later spread to his liver and conditions became turning worse. In the year 2018, he announced his diagnosis that stated:

I’m an Andretti. I already beat the age I should have lived to. Growing up when you’re a little a bit wild in a race car, I think everybody in our family’s always heard this. You’re not going to live to see 20.’ Then it was, ‘You’re not going to live see 25, then, ’30’. Our family’s already been through plenty of trials, and we’re still here. To get taken down by this, well, I’m going to go out giving it the strongest fight I can give it.

Well. his announcement broke the heart of millions of his fans where many joined him after the news went public. John was always a daring person and used to fight with conditions instead of running far from it. He always believed that stepping back is never going to work in his life. Later a year from the announcement of his diagnosis, John told his fans that cancer had spread to other parts of his body as well.

The Professional NASCAR race driver, John Andretti dies at 56 due to colon cancer
The Professional NASCAR race driver, John Andretti dies at 56 due to colon cancer
Image Source: DoYouRemember

As a result, John died unexpectedly at the age of 56. Soon after his death, the NASCAR president, Steve Phelps said in a statement:

John Andretti embodied the spirit of a champion and inspired an entire fan base through his courageous battle with cancer. He was a fierce competitor throughout his life, and we are saddened by his passing.

The professional racer from NASCAR and Indy said goodbye to the world on Thursday, 30th January 2020, the same month a legendary basketball player, Kobe Bryant and a talented entrepreneur, Leila Janah, also passed away. The reason for John’s death is nothing more than the colon cancer as he had already entered the fourth stage of the disease. May his soul rest in peace.

Funeral Service Released By The Andretti Family

The recent death news of the late NASCAR racer, Jonh Andretti raised the questions about his funeral among his fans. The Andretti family had said to receive friends on Monday (02-03-2020) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m at St. Mark Catholic Church in Huntersville, New York City. Following, the Eulogy and Prayer service began at 7 p.m.

After this, on 6th February, the Andretti family lead A Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. at Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral Catholic Church, based in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. After receiving the mass of friends from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Andretti’s private burial followed the service.

Andretti Autosports First Announced His Death Statement

Shortly after the death of John Andretti, his autosports released the news that stated on Thursday:

It’s with the heaviest of hearts we share that John Andretti has lost his battle with cancer. John was a loving husband and father, a devoted son and a trusted cousin. He was a philanthropist, an advocate for the sport, a dedicated teammate, a driven competitor and most importantly a dear friend.

The source also stated:

Through Race4Riley, John spent decades dedicating his time and fundraising attention to the Riley Hospital for Children. When first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2017, John vowed to fight back and use his voice to help spread the word of prevention and early detection. He fought hard and stole back days the disease vowed to take away. He helped countless others undergo proper screening, and in doing so, saved lives.

Moreover, it added:

We will forever carry with us John’s genuine spirit of helping others first and himself second. Our prayers today are with Nancy, Jarett, Olivia and Amelia, with our entire family, and with fans worldwide. We urge all our followers to, please, #CheckIt4Andretti.

The Andretti Autosport announced the news via their Twitter account where the post has now 5.1k retweets and over 13.7k likes. While observing the comments, many of his followers and well-wishers are exhibiting their grief where millions have become mourn due to his death.

Also, read: What Is Colon Cancer? Cause, Symptoms, Stage, And Treatment

Professional Life of John Andretti

John Andretti had a huge interest in car racing from a tender age. His family was one of the reasons for him to establish his career in racing. In order to pursue his dreams, Andretti had competed in USAC sprint cars and was the winner of 1989 Rolex 24 in a sports car. In the year 1990, he joined IndyCars fully and competed in over 49 consecutive races for the next three seasons.

Late John Andretti on the racing field
Late John Andretti on the racing field
Image Source: Walikali

John made 29 starts during 1994 and had driven for Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Dale Earnhardt, and Richard Childress. Due to his incredible performances, he was listed as the first driver to compete in the Indianapolis 500. During the competition, a bad crankshaft had knocked him after finishing 220 of 400 laps. In his lifetime, Andretti made 476 career starts on the Cup and IndyCar circuits.

Achievements

  • Andretti had won the 1991 IndyCar season-opener in Australia.
  • He was the winner of NASCAR’s second race at Daytona in 1997.
  • In 1999, John had won at Martinsville.

Personal Life: Family, Wife & Children

As we mentioned earlier, John Andretti was a married man. He was survived by his wife, Nancy, son Jarett and daughter Olivia. As a matter of fact, many of Andretti’s family members are active in the car racing profession. In fact, his father, Aldo Andretti also grew up racing as well as his uncle, Mario Andretti has successfully established himself as an international celebrity. John’s uncle, Mario is widely recognized as the winner of the 1969 Indianapolis 500.

John Andretti with his former wife and now widower, Nancy Andretti
John Andretti with his former wife and now widower, Nancy Andretti
Image Source: Walikali

Similarly, John’s cousin and nephew are also equally active in the racing fields. His cousin, Michael has competed in Formula One. Whereas, his nephew has made four top-five finishes at Indy. Interestingly, John’s own son, Jarett Andretti also has a great interest in car racing and made his official Indy debut in May 2019 in Indy Lights. In the competition, the seventh member of the Andretti family at Indy, Jarett stood sixth.

Jarett Andretti, the son of late John Andretti
Jarett Andretti, the son of late John Andretti
Image Source: Twitter

After the unexpected death of John, his godfather, Michael Andretti disclosed the dream John ever had until he was alive. Michael stated:

It’s very important for me, personally; me and John are very, very close, we’ve been close our whole lives, growing up together. To help bring one of his dreams come true is very satisfying. He’s always had a dream to see his son drive for Indy and I am glad we are makig it a reality this year.

Although John has died now, his son, Jarett will continue the rest journey of his father. During the time John was alive, he used to share a close relationship with the former IndyCar driver and current team owner, Bryan Herta. Bryan went to Twitter after hearing the news of John’s death and wrote:

Godspeed John Andretti. My first IndyCar teammate. A true racer and great human. I am heartbroken for Nancy, Jarett, Olivia, Amelia, and the entire family. I will miss your sense of humor most.

May his soul rest in peace!

John Andretti Left $20 Million Net Worth After His Death

The Indy and NASCAR racer, John Andretti had served the racing industry for a long time and earned a whopping net worth from his career. As a matter of fact, he left $20 million net worth after his death to his family, as per the Celebrity Net Worth.

Moreover, Andretti was totally active in charity works and used to enjoy serving other peoples. Till he was alive, he thought good about others and always wanted to do something great for the needy and orphan ones. After his death, his family might hold the capital and could also continue the charity work that John left in the middle.

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