Mario Andretti: 100th Indy 500 will be the 'most precious event'

I won a world championship, four national championships, and a dirt track championship, but when I'm introduced, it's as the winner of the 1969 Indianapolis 500. The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race defined my career and after 100 years it defines motor sports around the world.

Race fans can't wait to see the drama that will unfold with the 99th Indianapolis 500, and we are all encouraged by the resurgence we're seeing in the entire month of May. But when the checkered flag drops this Memorial Day weekend, we will turn our attention to the chance to celebrate that milestone of all milestones: the 100th Indianapolis 500 in 2016.

I mean, it was the event we all grew up with, and it was running years before we were born. I was born and raised in Italy, and we knew that Indianapolis was host to the One Race in the United States. I became aware of it in 1950 because of the movie "To Please A Lady" with Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck. The movie featured Indianapolis because it was the road to Indianapolis that he was striving for, and the race has been a big part of my life's story ever since. It was my ultimate goal. Why? Because it is the one race that can make a driver's career. There is no other race in the world that means as much as Indianapolis. It is an international icon.

For the Andretti family, the city of Indianapolis is part of the tradition and a big part of our lives. It is like my second home. I was in 29 races and over the decades I've also spent months testing in Indianapolis. In 1964, my twin brother, Aldo, moved here. Aldo still lives in Brownsburg and he has raised his family there. They are all Hoosiers. Then several years ago, my son Michael moved here, lock, stock and barrel, to manage and operate his race team. He lives in Fishers. My grandson Marco loves it here. It is the environment he grew up in and I tell him never to take it for granted – and he doesn't. None of us do.

Indianapolis is a great city. It's a great place to live and it's a great sports town, but it isn't all about sports. There is so much here – great restaurants, art and theater – and wonderful people.

To all the Andrettis, the Indianapolis 500 is the most precious event in the world and the chance to celebrate its 100 years of glorious history won't come around again. We're not going to live to see the next one. The people of Indianapolis and all Hoosiers know how to come together to celebrate magical moments and historic events. We can't wait until next May, and to see the celebration of the 100th Indianapolis 500.