IndyCar driver John Andretti has died at the age of 56 after a long battle with cancer. Andretti carried on the family racing tradition with a long career in both NASCAR, IndyCar, sports cars and even NHRA drag racing. John was the nephew of racing legend Mario Andretti, cousin to current IndyCar team owner Michael. John raced in the Indianapolis 500 a dozen times starting in 1988, with a best finish of fifth in 1991.

Sandwiched between his early and late IndyCar career was the meat of his racing in the NASCAR Cup series. John drove in nearly 400 races over 17 years, most of them for the legendary Richard Petty, winning twice. Andretti raced in the inaugural Brickyard 400 in 1994 and 10 more after that. In 1994, he became the first driver to race in both the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.