INDIANAPOLIS – After the news broke about the passing of well-liked and versatile motorsports veteran John Andretti following a long fight with colon cancer on Thursday, tributes, memories and more poured in on social media from all sides of the racing world.
Andretti was one of the more-universally beloved and respected voices in the industry, not just because of his family surname, but because of his long history of charitable work with Riley Hospital for Children and his #CheckItForAndretti mission after his cancer diagnosis.
Because of that, numerous voices from the motorsports industry chimed in with their thoughts on the late NASCAR, Indy car and sports car driver.
We’ve assembled a wide sampling of those messages below:
Statement on the passing of John Andretti #CheckItForAndretti pic.twitter.com/ku3gX2neOq
— Andretti INDYCAR & INDY NXT (@AndrettiIndy) January 30, 2020
Rest In Peace #JohnAndretti. The best godfather. Your passion for Motorsport was admirable. Always the good ones we lose too soon. 🙏🏽 #checkit4andretti pic.twitter.com/WtpSPDzdsV
— Marco Andretti (@MarcoAndretti) January 30, 2020
It’s not often that a person’s on-track prowess is overshadowed by their incredible personality. But that was John Andretti. His compassion for others was second to none, and our thoughts are with the Andretti family. Godspeed, John.
#CheckIt4Andretti pic.twitter.com/jYd6bi4EeW
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) January 30, 2020
He grew up in Indy with talent to drive & win in anything – short track, Indycar, NASCAR, drag racing & sports cars. John was great for our communities & sport & was always giving back. Even in his battle he used it as a platform to make a difference. 🙏🏁 He’ll be missed. https://t.co/4tn5hATqM9
— J. Douglas Boles (@jdouglas4) January 30, 2020
Sad news. John was a great guy, always upbeat, a real inspiration. https://t.co/Mew9ZY156h
— Mike Joy (@mikejoy500) January 30, 2020
Godspeed John Andretti. My first IndyCar teammate. A true racer and great human. I am heartbroken for Nancy, Jarett, Olivia, Amelia, and the entire Andretti family. I will miss your sense of humor the most. Please #checkitforAndretti https://t.co/t7mXYnbaqk
— Bryan Herta (@BryanHerta) January 30, 2020
It’s with heavy hearts that we say Rest In Peace to John today. Thinking of the whole Andretti family as they go through this tough time. pic.twitter.com/yxAkCFsw6T
— Colton Herta (@ColtonHerta) January 30, 2020
John was always someone who took the time to talk to me about my career and life, always with words of encouragement and positivity. He was always a familiar smile to see at the shop and track. You will be greatly missed and never forgotten. 🙏🏻 https://t.co/MTqrGXphPo
— Zach Veach (@ZachVeach) January 30, 2020
Sad news today, we lost another great soul to cancer. Rest In Peace John Andretti. Always brought a smile to my face anytime I was around him. What a great driver, competitor, mentor, dad, husband & friend. #checkit4andtetti
— Ryan Hunter-Reay (@RyanHunterReay) January 30, 2020
As nice of a person as you'll find anywhere. Prayers to the family, especially Nancy and the kids. We've lost a great one in John Andretti. #RIP https://t.co/1Xm9mVmBtW
— Curt Cavin (@curtcavin) January 30, 2020
It’s difficult for someone with the racing pedigree of @John_Andretti to be remembered first for things away from the track.
But, his legacy will be his kind spirit, warm smile, & tireless work in raising millions for @RileyChildrens hospital.
God speed to an Indy treasure.— Jake Query (@jakequery) January 30, 2020
There wasn’t a better soul in racing than John Andretti. A man who won in everything he drove, ever category that he competed in. I spent my #Indy500 rookie year media day with John, and the impression he made on me on that day will last a lifetime. RIP John, you’ll be missed. 🙏🏼
— Graham Rahal (@GrahamRahal) January 30, 2020
Our condolences to the entire Andretti family and to all of John’s friends and fans.
His legacy lives on through racing and, more importantly, his desire to help others through prevention and early detection. #CheckItForAndretti https://t.co/qg3S9RmkNt
— Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (@RLLracing) January 30, 2020
This is a true loss to the sport. Our hearts are with the whole Andretti family in this difficult time. Please everyone, #CheckIt4Andretti https://t.co/Ab2DQbHTyq
— Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team (@ArrowMcLaren) January 30, 2020
NASCAR statement on the passing of John Andretti. pic.twitter.com/ye1yDbfmLo
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 30, 2020
Our hearts are with the Andretti family and the motorsports community today as we mourn the loss of John Andretti. We will remember fondly his time in NHRA drag racing and celebrate the numerous contributions he made to the racing industry. pic.twitter.com/1pZa7wvqqP
— NHRA (@NHRA) January 30, 2020
Rest in peace John Andretti. Great guy & honor to have raced you.
— Tommy Johnson Jr. (@TommyJohnson_Jr) January 30, 2020
So sad to hear this. The smile on his face here is how I saw him literally every second he was ever at the track. Prayers to the whole Andretti family. 🙏. #checkitforandretti https://t.co/7jZSOkb4GF
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) January 30, 2020
Man… sending thoughts and prayers to all. https://t.co/9eHOtE1tbc
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) January 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/KevinHamlin/status/1223008602392231937
Gone too soon, Rest In Peace. Strength and prayers to family and loved ones https://t.co/zOJg9OGTCa
— Gabby Chaves (@GabbyChaves) January 30, 2020
I’m so sad to hear the news , What a great person , my prayers with #AndrettiFamily #RIPJohn https://t.co/22L1Qc8ytS
— Helio Castroneves (@h3lio) January 30, 2020
Very sad news. I’ll always remember competing in the #Race4Riley back in the day out @NewCastleMP ! Such a special event for a great cause. Massive respect for everything he accomplished in the racing world. #CheckItForAndretti https://t.co/6eQxa7VlFt
— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) January 30, 2020
Such a great man. Respected by so many in the sport and always a pleasure to see around the track, always smiling. Thoughts are with you guys 🙏🏻. https://t.co/SVq2DeGsVb
— JR Hildebrand (@JRHildebrand) January 30, 2020
Very sad news !! John was a outstanding man and a great teammate 🙏🏼 for the entire Andretti family https://t.co/fQuWazAtJm
— Davey Hamilton (@DaveyHamilton) January 30, 2020
A very, very sad week in the world of sports. My heart goes out to John's family and friends. https://t.co/SVDbXi8hlI
— Kendra Jacobs (@KendraJJacobs) January 30, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of John Andretti and the entire racing community. John was no stranger to Victory Lane at DAYTONA having won the '89 Rolex 24 as well as the '97 Coke Zero Sugar 400, the final 400 before it moved under the lights. Godspeed John. pic.twitter.com/sz6ifjRcda
— Daytona International Speedway (@DAYTONA) January 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/TXMotorSpeedway/status/1222979306130935808
Such sad and devastating news @John_Andretti passed away. We will miss that big smile and deep humor you had.@therealmieke and I send our condolences to Nancy and @JarettAndretti and dad Aldo and to the whole close knit @FollowAndretti family
— Arie Luyendyk (@ArieLuyendyk) January 30, 2020
John was one of the nicest guys, always smiling, had a great outlook on life and a fierce competitor on track. Thoughts go out to Johns family, friends and fans, the whole Andretti family, and the Andretti team. Such a tough loss. 🙏 #CheckItForAndretti https://t.co/yfm8V7Ii15
— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) January 30, 2020
Gutted for the Andretti family. Godspeed to the first driver to complete both the Indy 500 & Coke 600 in the same day. John Andretti was a badass🙏🙏#CheckItForAndretti https://t.co/bY4HRb9e59
— Diego Alvarado (@DiegoxAlv) January 30, 2020
God Speed John Andretti. My heart is heavy with overwhelming sadness. I know his last name was Andretti, but for our family it was always Petty. All my thoughts, prayers and love go out to the entire Andretti Family
— Kyle Petty (@kylepetty) January 30, 2020
Rest In Peace John 🙏🏻 My most sincere condolences to the whole Andretti family ❤️ #checkit4andretti https://t.co/yaPHuxtIZV
— Jack Harvey (@jack_harvey93) January 30, 2020
Re @john_andretti's versatility, consider that he won in NASCAR, he won in Champcar, he won in IMSA GTP, he raced a works 962 at Le Mans, he went to Bathurst, he drove Top Fuel dragsters & pick-up trucks – & was the first man to do the Indy 500 and World 600 on the same day
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) January 30, 2020
John was one of the good guys. We, like everyone else, send our most sincere condolences to his family. https://t.co/YC2dhtHR1j
— Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) January 30, 2020
If you grew up a sports car nerd like I did in the 80’s and 90’s you loved seeing John Andretti getting to race Indycars and NASCAR because you felt like he was one of our guys. The High Life 962 is one of the most iconic liveries of my lifetime. What a loss.. #CheckIt4Andretti pic.twitter.com/DlcucPT5kR
— Ryan Eversley (@RyanEversley) January 30, 2020
Sad day for Motorsports. RIP #JohnAndretti prayers to the whole Andretti family during this time. Fly high 🙏🏼
— Sage Karam (@SageKaram) January 30, 2020
Very sad to see this. John was a friend to everyone @Team_FRM. Praying for his family and friends at this time. https://t.co/zqrd0ujbPT
— Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver) January 30, 2020
Rest in peace, @John_Andretti. Always treated me with respect back in my #NASCAR days. #CheckIt4Andretti
— Lee (@lee_montgomery) January 30, 2020
I’m Thankful for the time I had with John on & off the Track… without question, what made him most special to me was his Love for Family & Friends. https://t.co/qEkMYyddcQ
— Ricky Craven (@RickyCraven32) January 30, 2020
A helluva racer and a helluva fighter who worked hard to raise awareness about early detection for colon cancer. Gone too soon. God speed, John Andretti. #CheckItForAndretti https://t.co/BccAdTTHFT
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) January 30, 2020
I'm deeply saddened to learn the news of the passing of John Andretti. John was wonderful person, family man, friend & fellow driver. My thoughts, prayers and love go out to his family, friends and those who have worked along side him. Please y'all remember to #Checkit4Andretti https://t.co/4cXhmrrDOb
— David Starr (@starr_racing) January 30, 2020
I can’t believe this.. literally can’t.. the reason I’m in @NASCAR is because of my dear friend who always worked for others instead of himself … F cancer… so sad about this. Love you @John_Andretti @FollowAndretti pic.twitter.com/pFPtZx33hE
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) January 30, 2020
First race I covered at @DISupdates was John Andretti's Pepsi 400 win in 1997. I'll never forget that victory lane celebration with Cale Yarborough's vibrant red-and-white RCA-sponsored car. RIP John Andretti #CheckIt4Andretti https://t.co/JXFUr1jSsS
— Chris Dolack (@ChrisDolack) January 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/rickmast22/status/1222985568424013833