With most of the motorsports world on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve decided to highlight some of the sport’s legends on a daily basis. We begin each story within the pages of National Speed Sport News.
Emerson Fittipaldi’s driving career can be summed up in one word: amazing.
The popular Brazilian is one of four drivers who have won the CART championship and the Formula One World Driving Championship.
Fittipaldi became the youngest driver ever to win the Formula One title when he posted five victories en route to the 1972 title. He won the World Driving Championship a second time in 1974.
He made the jump to Indy car racing in 1984 and posted his first victory on an oval the following summer at Michigan Int’l Speedway.
In 1989, he won the Indianapolis 500 driving for Patrick Racing following a dramatic shootout with Al Unser Jr. Fittipaldi also won the CART championship in 1989.
Fittipaldi teamed up with team owner Roger Penske and won the prestigious race a second time in 1993.
Fittipaldi earned 24 Indy car victories and 18 poles during his career. He also won 14 grands prix and picked up a single IROC victory, which came in 1975.
Fittipaldi ran his last race in 1996 and at age 56, remains a successful businessman.
