Michael Andretti published an open letter to race fans Oct. 7 in which he explained why he made the surprising recent decision to relinquish day-to-day control of his Andretti Global racing organization.

Dan Towriss, Andretti’s partner in the racing organization and the CEO and president of Group 1001, is taking over daily leadership of the team. Group 1001 is the parent company of Andretti partners Gainbridge and Delaware Life.

Andretti had led the team since its inception in the early 2000s. Andretti Global drivers have won four INDYCAR SERIES championships and five Indianapolis 500s. The team also fields entries in INDY NXT by Firestone, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, FIA Formula E, FIA Extreme E and other series.

As the son of fellow racing legend Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti said in the letter he was destined to race, with his entire life devoted to driving and then team management.

“From an early age, I didn’t know anything different than life in the fast lane,” 1991 INDYCAR SERIES champion Michael Andretti wrote. “Being a ‘son of’ – be it a proud one – came with a high bar and, once I pressed the gas, I never looked back. I stopped at nothing to find success. I drove for the passion and love of the sport, but I won for the fear of losing. My father’s childhood dream became my destiny and together, we built a legacy and a family business.”

But that breakneck pace took a toll on Andretti, 62, who decided to “pass the baton” to his friend and business partner Towriss and serve as an advisor for the team.

Andretti also cited his desire to spend more time with his family, including his 10-year-old twin children. He also said he is embracing his new role as a grandfather, as his son, Marco, and partner Billie Jo Powers welcomed a baby girl, Miura, on Sept. 17.

“So, this isn’t a goodbye,” Andretti wrote. “It is just the turning of the page.”