Who knew?
You learn something new about your classmates every day. The following article appeared in the St. Cloud Times. Bandmeister John Herdan, it seems, is a big race fan.
Andretti revs up another crowd
By Ben Birnell
bbirnell@stcloudtimes.com
Published: August 08. 2007
John Herdan cradled a green photo album in his arms like it was a precious gift.
Andretti signs a mechanic’s toolbox during a promotional event at Highway 10 Tire & Auto on Tuesday. Inside were countless photographs of well-known auto racing drivers that Herdan had taken over the years. But there was one photo Herdan had waited more than 35 years for the chance to be autographed.
This particular photo, taken in 1971 at a race in Watkins Glen, N.Y., features racing legend Mario Andretti in a seven-liter engine Ferrari.
Herdan, a 59-year-old racing fan from St. Joseph, met Andretti in the past but never got the opportunity to have the photo signed.
He finally got the chance Tuesday afternoon.
Andretti, 67, was in St. Cloud as part of a promotional appearance for the Highway 10 Tire and Auto store’s grand opening festivities.
Herdan was second in line to meet Andretti.
“He (Andretti) looked at the photo and said, ‘Wow, I remember this,’” said Herdan, who has been a racing fan since he was about nine years old. “It is very special to me to get the photo signed.”
Herdan was part of a throng of people to show up and meet the legendary driver.
About 20 minutes before Andretti’s appearance at 2 p.m., fans and admirers formed a line that eventually weaved outside to the store’s parking lot.
“He’s got a great family tradition of racing,” said Bob Siemers, 64, who was waiting in line to get a picture of him and Andretti autographed. “He’s a great driver and a really nice guy.”
Officials said they expected about 1,000 people to meet Andretti during the two hours he was scheduled to be at the store.
He said he has met a lot of his fans over the years he has been involved with racing. It is a career that has taken him around the world.
“I love meeting the fans,” said Andretti, who began his racing career in the 1950s. “They’re all welcoming and they make you feel good inside.”
Herdan said he remembers Andretti racing in an event in 1968 at Brainerd International Raceway.
“Obviously, I must have been through (St. Cloud) then,” Andretti said. “I’ve covered a lot of ground over the years and I can’t remember if we were or not. But, I’ve raced in Minnesota quite a bit.”
Andretti, who was named the Driver of the Century by The Associated Press in 1999, won the Indianpolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the Formula One World Championship during his career. He retired in 1994.
Andretti said the major championships are what he remembers the most about his career.
“It’s all about results and the highlights are usually the championships I’ve won,” said Andretti, who was born in Italy. “I’ve been very, very fortunate. I was lucky to race for many years and I loved every second of it.”
Since retiring, Andretti has remained busy.
Besides the promotional appearances, he keeps himself entertained with a number of business ventures. Among them are a winery in Napa Valley, Calif., a petroleum business, several car dealerships, a racing school in Las Vegas, and a go-carts facility near Atlanta. He also serves as a spokesman for a number of corporations.
“You could probably say I’m busier now than when I was racing,” said Andretti with a smile. “There are a lot of things I’m doing that keep me away from home and keep me on the road. But, they’re all things I enjoy.”
Published: August 08. 2007
John Herdan cradled a green photo album in his arms like it was a precious gift.
Andretti signs a mechanic’s toolbox during a promotional event at Highway 10 Tire & Auto on Tuesday. Inside were countless photographs of well-known auto racing drivers that Herdan had taken over the years. But there was one photo Herdan had waited more than 35 years for the chance to be autographed.
This particular photo, taken in 1971 at a race in Watkins Glen, N.Y., features racing legend Mario Andretti in a seven-liter engine Ferrari.Herdan, a 59-year-old racing fan from St. Joseph, met Andretti in the past but never got the opportunity to have the photo signed.
He finally got the chance Tuesday afternoon.
Andretti, 67, was in St. Cloud as part of a promotional appearance for the Highway 10 Tire and Auto store’s grand opening festivities.
Herdan was second in line to meet Andretti.
“He (Andretti) looked at the photo and said, ‘Wow, I remember this,’” said Herdan, who has been a racing fan since he was about nine years old. “It is very special to me to get the photo signed.”
Herdan was part of a throng of people to show up and meet the legendary driver.
About 20 minutes before Andretti’s appearance at 2 p.m., fans and admirers formed a line that eventually weaved outside to the store’s parking lot.
“He’s got a great family tradition of racing,” said Bob Siemers, 64, who was waiting in line to get a picture of him and Andretti autographed. “He’s a great driver and a really nice guy.”
Officials said they expected about 1,000 people to meet Andretti during the two hours he was scheduled to be at the store.
He said he has met a lot of his fans over the years he has been involved with racing. It is a career that has taken him around the world.
“I love meeting the fans,” said Andretti, who began his racing career in the 1950s. “They’re all welcoming and they make you feel good inside.”
Herdan said he remembers Andretti racing in an event in 1968 at Brainerd International Raceway.
“Obviously, I must have been through (St. Cloud) then,” Andretti said. “I’ve covered a lot of ground over the years and I can’t remember if we were or not. But, I’ve raced in Minnesota quite a bit.”
Andretti, who was named the Driver of the Century by The Associated Press in 1999, won the Indianpolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the Formula One World Championship during his career. He retired in 1994.
Andretti said the major championships are what he remembers the most about his career.
“It’s all about results and the highlights are usually the championships I’ve won,” said Andretti, who was born in Italy. “I’ve been very, very fortunate. I was lucky to race for many years and I loved every second of it.”
Since retiring, Andretti has remained busy.
Besides the promotional appearances, he keeps himself entertained with a number of business ventures. Among them are a winery in Napa Valley, Calif., a petroleum business, several car dealerships, a racing school in Las Vegas, and a go-carts facility near Atlanta. He also serves as a spokesman for a number of corporations.
“You could probably say I’m busier now than when I was racing,” said Andretti with a smile. “There are a lot of things I’m doing that keep me away from home and keep me on the road. But, they’re all things I enjoy.”
