--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The first time I fired up a car, felt the…" description: "\"The first time I fired up a car, felt the engine shudder and the wheel come to life in my hands, I was hooked. It was a feeling I can't describe. I sti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/019/mario-andretti-4117_car_the-first-time-i-fired-up-a-car-felt-the_1358110.png" --- # The first time I fired up a car, felt the engine shudder… ![“The first time I fired up a car, felt the engine shudder and the wheel come to life in my hands, I was hooked. It was a feeling I can't describe. I still get it every time I get into a race car.” quote by Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/019/mario-andretti-4117_car_the-first-time-i-fired-up-a-car-felt-the_1358110.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/019/mario-andretti-4117_car_the-first-time-i-fired-up-a-car-felt-the_1358110.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/019/mario-andretti-4117_car_the-first-time-i-fired-up-a-car-felt-the_1358110.png) > “The first time I fired up a car, felt the engine shudder and the wheel come to life in my hands, I was hooked. It was a feeling I can't describe. I still get it every time I get into a race car.” [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The visceral thrill of a race car ignites lasting passion and drive. **In simple terms:** Racing creates an unforgettable, addictive feeling. Key Takeaway Seek experiences that spark lasting enthusiasm. Themes motivation passion driving experience Mood excited energetic Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - career choice - hobby pursuit - adventure sports Key Concepts neuroscience of reward psychology of flow Questions to Reflect On - What activities give you a similar “hook”? - How can you channel that excitement into productive goals? A Different Perspective Addiction risk if thrill becomes sole focus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Car](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/car/) [Car Felt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/car-felt-1953983/) [Engine Shudder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engine-shudder-4639981/) [Engines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engines/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Felt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felt/) [Fired Car](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fired-car-4639982/) [Fired up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fired-up/) [First time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-time/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Hooked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hooked/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Race car](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race-car/) [Shudder Wheel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shudder-wheel-4639980/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wheels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wheels/) ## Related quotes > [“a man was not a proper man until he had bought his own car, felt Ove. And so it was.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fredrik-backman/a-man-was-not-a-proper-man-until-he-had-bought-his-own-car-felt-ove/) [Fredrik Backman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fredrik-backman/) > [It is amazing how may drivers, even at the Formula One Level, think that the brakes are for slowing the car down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/it-is-amazing-how-may-drivers-even-at-the-formula-one-level-think/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [You're safer in the race car than you are in cars going to and from the track.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/you-re-safer-in-the-race-car-than-you-are-in-cars-going-to-and-from/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [I will always enter a race car from the left side. Always. Why? I have no idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/i-will-always-enter-a-race-car-from-the-left-side-always-why-i-have/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [With tennis, you can go pick up a racket, take a lesson, and understand how much talent and skill it takes to be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/with-tennis-you-can-go-pick-up-a-racket-take-a-lesson-and-understand/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [A racing car is an animal with a thousand adjustments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/a-racing-car-is-an-animal-with-a-thousand-adjustments/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [Why can't a democrat get fired up about protecting the environment and enacting gun control legislation just as right wing republicans get fired up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moby/why-can-t-a-democrat-get-fired-up-about-protecting-the-environment/) [Moby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moby/) > [“You won't get it done if you don't get started. You won't finish up if you are not fired up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/you-won-t-get-it-done-if-you-don-t-get-started-you-won-t-finish-up-if/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [I think Louisville will be fired up for this game. They might be in revenge mode. But, this time of the year records, don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-carey/i-think-louisville-will-be-fired-up-for-this-game-they-might-be-in/) [Mike Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-carey/) > [Oh, I get pretty fired up on the court. 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Not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/in-a-recent-interview-john-mccain-addressed-trump-s-campaign-rally-in/) [Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/) ## More by Mario Andretti > [If you have everything under control, you're not moving fast enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/if-you-have-everything-under-control-you-re-not-moving-fast-enough/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [It is amazing how may drivers, even at the Formula One Level, think that the brakes are for slowing the car down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/it-is-amazing-how-may-drivers-even-at-the-formula-one-level-think/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [Motor racing is like one big family, ultimately, and when you come back to it, that's really what it feels like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/motor-racing-is-like-one-big-family-ultimately-and-when-you-come-back/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [Circumstances may cause interruptions and delays, but never lose sight of your goal. Prepare yourself in every way you can by increasing your knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/circumstances-may-cause-interruptions-and-delays-but-never-lose-sight/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [Nobody had race savvy like Al Unser in his prime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/nobody-had-race-savvy-like-al-unser-in-his-prime/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [The passport changes but the blood doesn't](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/the-passport-changes-but-the-blood-doesn-t/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [What is golden is miles under your belt, miles, miles, miles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/what-is-golden-is-miles-under-your-belt-miles-miles-miles/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [ I'm so thankful that I've had such a long and uninterrupted \[knocks wood\] career... I count my blessings every day for that because it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/i-m-so-thankful-that-i-ve-had-such-a-long-and-uninterrupted-knocks/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [I had no problems staying motivated because things that were happening were things I looked forward to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/i-had-no-problems-staying-motivated-because-things-that-were/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [If you're so afraid of failure, you will never succeed. You have to take chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/if-you-re-so-afraid-of-failure-you-will-never-succeed-you-have-to/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [As far as I'm concerned, Parnelli Jones was the greatest driver of his era. He had aggressiveness and also a finesse that no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/as-far-as-i-m-concerned-parnelli-jones-was-the-greatest-driver-of-his/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [Long Beach is the best. I tell everyone that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/long-beach-is-the-best-i-tell-everyone-that/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/desire-is-the-key-to-motivation-but-it-s-determination-and-commitment/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [When you are losing it can seem like there is a black cloud following you around, but like they say there is a silver…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/when-you-are-losing-it-can-seem-like-there-is-a-black-cloud-following/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [Nothing compares to the Indianapolis 500.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/nothing-compares-to-the-indianapolis-500/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) [Explore all 116 Mario Andretti quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) ## More Car quotes > [If you restore a car, and you're making money, then you're doing it wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/if-you-restore-a-car-and-you-re-making-money-then-you-re-doing-it/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... 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Don't let others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/whether-you-are-buying-a-car-or-casting-a-ballot-choosing-a-job-or/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [I don't have to have the biggest house or the biggest car or the longest mink, but quality of life is really glamorous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/i-don-t-have-to-have-the-biggest-house-or-the-biggest-car-or-the/) [Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/) [Browse all 6,849 Car quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/car/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The first time I fired up a car, felt the engine shudder and the wheel come to life in my hands, I was hooked. It was a feeling I can't describe. 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