INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- John Andretti, a member of one of auto racing's most famous families and the first driver to attempt the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's 600-mile race in North Carolina on the same day, has died. He was 56 and had spent the last three years battling colon cancer.
Andretti Autosports, which is owned by Andretti's cousin, Michael, announced the death Thursday.
Statement on the passing of John Andretti #CheckItForAndretti pic.twitter.com/ku3gX2neOq
— Andretti INDYCAR & INDY NXT (@AndrettiIndy) January 30, 2020
God Speed John Andretti. My heart is heavy with overwhelming sadness. I know his last name was Andretti, but for our family it was always Petty. All my thoughts, prayers and love go out to the entire Andretti Family
— Kyle Petty (@kylepetty) January 30, 2020
Thoughts and prayers to the entire Andretti family. 🙏🏻 https://t.co/REYbtXjZ3K
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) January 30, 2020
Sad news about John Andretti. Racing against him was always tough because you knew he was smiling in his helmet while he was driving. John inspired me to do “The Double.” RIP
— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) January 30, 2020
Man... sending thoughts and prayers to all. https://t.co/9eHOtE1tbc
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) January 30, 2020
A helluva racer and a helluva fighter who worked hard to raise awareness about early detection for colon cancer. Gone too soon. God speed, John Andretti. #CheckItForAndretti https://t.co/BccAdTTHFT
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) January 30, 2020
Praying for the Andretti family. John was an awesome person to be around. He was a fighter on and off the track. I’ll never forget racing an indoor kart race against him and him beating me on the last lap. RIP John https://t.co/QN85nOBb7U
— Austin Dillon (@austindillon3) January 30, 2020
So sad to hear this. The smile on his face here is how I saw him literally every second he was ever at the track. Prayers to the whole Andretti family. 🙏. #checkitforandretti https://t.co/7jZSOkb4GF
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) January 30, 2020
Andretti's cousin and uncle, Mario, were longtime fan favorites in the IndyCar Series and beyond.
But John Andretti developed his own fan base at Indy in part because he was the first driver to attempt the Memorial Day double -- running in both the 500 and the 600-mile night race outside Charlotte, North Carolina.
Andretti made 49 consecutive IndyCar starts from 1990-92 before moving to NASCAR, where he started at least 29 races every season from 1994-2003. He won three times and helped raise money for Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis through his initiative Race 4 Riley.
He was diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2017. Doctors later determined the disease had spread to his liver.