OSWEGO, NY – From the Indy 500 to the Daytona 500 to the F1 World Championship, Mario Andretti has won it all.
Now, Oswego race fans will have an opportunity to meet him.
Andretti will visit the Port City on Friday to help A&P Auto Service celebrate its 25th anniversary of providing quality tires and service to the Oswego and surrounding communities in Central New York.
From about 11:20 to 11:30 a.m., Andretti will participate in a ribbon cutting and plaque presentation ceremony to honor the store’s 25th anniversary.
Then, he’ll visit with fans and sign autographs at the store from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A&P Automotive  is located at 160 E. Bridge St., in Oswego.
After almost 50 years in the racing industry, Andretti is considered a racing legend.
The Associated Press named Andretti the Driver of the Century and he was a 2005 inductee into the Automotive Hall of Fame in Michigan.
“This is a great way to celebrate our 25th anniversary of being in business,” said Michael Silliman of A&P Automotive. “We have been associated with Firestone for most of those years.”
“We have been trying for a long time to have Mario Andretti come to one of our events,” Silliman added. “We could never fit it together. This year his schedule and ours worked out. We are excited to have him attending our 25th anniversary.”
Besides the racing legend’s visit there will be plenty for race fans young and old.
Local racecar driver Jeff Abold will be appearing at the 25th anniversary celebration as well.
Abold, 20, of Baldwinsville has split his driving time this season between the powerful 800 hp ISMA Supermodifieds and the lite weight NEMA Midgets
He started his career at the age of 9 at the Oswego County Quartermidget Club in Volney. He has progressed up through the ranks and recently pulled off the biggest win of his career in the Boston Louie Seymour Memorial race for the NEMA Midgets at Seekonk Speedway in Massachusetts.
Jeff will be bringing along his Stingray Racing Supermodified #05 for the fans to view and will be available for autographs.
The racecar of Indy Racing League star Marco Andretti, Mario’s grandson, will be one of the cars on display at the A&P Automotive 25th anniversary celebration.
Fans will receive a rare and unique opportunity to get an up-close look to see what this 230-mph plus racecar looks like.
Also on display will be the Firestone Indy Car simulator that fans can test their driving skills on, according to Silliman.
There will also be a raffle for four Firestone tires.
“All the proceeds will benefit Camp Sunshine,” Silliman said.
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