Jarett Andretti Teams Up With March of Dimes for 2014 Race Season

Jarett Andretti announced his plans to support the March of Dimes at the Indianapolis Fairgrounds on February 6th

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."

Jarett visited Lawrence North High School to aid with their March of Dimes fundraising.

The author of that fabled quote is Jarett Andretti's great uncle, Mario Andretti. Jarett is a blueblood member of legendary Andretti racing royalty, the son of John, cousin of Marco, nephew of Michael and grandson of Aldo. For 2014, twenty-one-year Jarett is gearing up for his first full season of competition in both the USAC National Sprint Car and Silver Crown Series. He will be driving for his uncle Michael Andretti's Autosport Short Track team.

For this season the third-generation racer has also aligned himself with the March of Dimes, one of the best-known and most respected nonprofit organizations in the country. The organization helps moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. If something goes wrong, they offer information and comfort to families. They are also extremely active and successful with researching the problems that threaten babies and work on preventing them. Jarett took time from his busy schedule to talk with us about the March for Babies and racing.

Having had the experience of twin cousins that were born prematurely Jarett feels it's an honor to represent the March of Dimes.

What does it mean to you to be able to add your family name to the March for Babies effort, and why is that important to you?

"It is an honor to be able to work with the March of Dimes in 2014. I had a mutual friend introduce me to the March of Dimes representatives last year and their mission and goals are very close to my heart, as I had twin cousins that were born prematurely at 28 weeks and are now very healthy and happy."

2014 will be the K&N backed racer's first full season of racing.

How does your racing schedule look for this season and how does racing fit in with you going to school for a business major?

"The racing schedule is extremely busy with about 80 races on the schedule so far for 2014. We will be running the full USAC Sprint and Silver Crown schedule as well as some Pavement Sprint Car races, including the Little 500. As for school, most of the administrators and professors have been accommodating to my travel and race schedule."

College aside, what are your racing aspirations, and ideally in what direction would you like to see your racing career unfold?

"I would just like to be a professional race car driver, whether that be in the World of Outlaws, NASCAR, IndyCar, Sports Cars or USAC. Ideally, I would love to run the Indy 500 with my dad. I also have aspirations of rallying and other off-road racing, I just enjoy driving racecars."

I'm sure you've heard versions of this question many times, but overall and at this stage of your life, do you feel the Andretti name puts burdensome pressures on you, or have you learned to embrace those expectations?

"It all depends on how you look at it, it certainly brings added pressure, but at the same time I have family members to provide great advice and career guidance."

Where and when do you race next?

The next race of the season is at the No Way Out 40 at Brownstown Speedway in the Superior Auto No. 18 Sprint Car beginning March 29th.