Mario Andretti makes "dream come true" as $40M venture hits the ground

IndyCar and F1 legend Mario Andretti had a "dream come true" moment this week as his entertainment venture hit the ground. On Tuesday, he was present at the grand opening of the 12th location of Andretti Indoor Karting and Games in Overland Park, Kansas.

The facility has indoor karting, a two-story laser tag arena, three bars, over 150 arcade games, and dining. As per the Kansas City Star, it covers approximately 95,000 square feet and required a $40 million investment. The project was announced over two years ago and came to fruition this month.

Mario Andretti, who cut the ceremonial ribbon to inaugurate the new family entertainment center, with the indoor karting as its main attraction, reflected emotionally on why Andretti Indoor Karting and Games meant so much to him and how he would've loved to have experienced something like it in his childhood.

"I was that little boy once, but there wasn’t a facility like this," Andretti said via KCTV5. "We want to add value to the community and offer something for everyone — not just the entertainment factor, but for the entire family. For us, family is everything. My brother Aldo and myself pretty much started this mess, and it developed into something we could have only dreamed about."

Mario Andretti's twin brother, Aldo Andretti, also a former racer, passed away in December 2020 at the age of 80. His sons, John (died in 2020 with colon cancer) and Adam, as well as Mario's sons, Michael and Jeff, were all racers. Michael Andretti's son, Marco Andretti, also had racing in his blood and recently retired from the sport as a 20-time Indy 500 starter.

Mario spoke about the family's involvement in racing and how the spirit of the two Andrettis that the family has lost still lives with them.

"Their spirit is with us, and we keep on going and keep on growing with a lot of pride in what’s going on here. It’s a dream come true, to be honest with you," the four-time IndyCar champion added.

Marco Andretti was also present at the opening and shared some snaps from the day out on his Instagram stories.

Mario Andretti wants locals to have 'another home' at the giant entertainment center

Mario Andretti at the F1 United States Grand Prix - Source: Getty

In 2026, Mario Andretti might become too busy to attend to all of his and the family's business ventures. The 85-year-old is the director of the Cadillac F1 team, which will enter F1 as the 11th team next season and has already begun prepping for the same.

Though he won't be involved in the day-to-day operations of the General Motors-backed team, it would be time-consuming, considering the team's inexperience. On Tuesday, the 1978 F1 champion also described Andretti Indoor Karting and Games as a unique challenge.

"When you’re in a community, you want to have repeat business," Andretti said via KCTV5. "You want them to feel like they have another home here. There are so many challenges here that take time and practice, and that’s what it’s all about."

For Mario Andretti and his family, Andretti Karting and Games is a viable outlet to keep the family's racing legacy alive in a way. With Michael Andretti having left Andretti Global in 2024 and his son, Marco, having retired too, for the first time in four decades, there won't be an active Andretti in the IndyCar paddock in 2026. With no active Andretti at Andretti Global, the team could also be rebranded under the TWG Motorsports banner.