Mother of race-car driver dies

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) -- Rina Andretti, mother of retired auto racing great Mario Andretti, died at a personal care home in Bethlehem Township on Monday. She was 90.
After immigrating from Italy in the 1950s, Andretti settled with her family in Nazareth. Family and friends said she supported her son Mario's career choice. Mario's brother, Aldo Andretti, was seriously injured in a 1959 crash and retired from racing 10 years later.
"She understood our passion. She would always defend us," said Mario, who retired from the CART series in 1994.
after winning 67 Champ car poles, 52 races and four championships. He also won the Formula One championship in 1979 and the 1967 Daytona 500.
Born in Montona, Italy, in 1913, Andretti and her family spent seven years in an Italian refugee camp before coming to the United States. She is survived by three children, 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.