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Andy Granatelli, the most famous person in American racing in the 1960s, not a driver, died at the age of 90.
His company STP, an oil additive, owned and sponsored Mario Andretti's 1969 Indy 500 winning car. And the photograph of “the kiss” in victory lane is iconic.
STP was a long time sponsor of NASCAR's “King” Richard Petty.
Lost in the mists of history are Granatelli's technology leading edge Novis, including the aircraft turbine-powered “whoosh” mobiles because they made so little noise. Parnelli Jones was leading the 1967 Indy 500 with three laps to go when a transmission bearing broke. The turbine powered car also raced the 1968 Indy 500 in a Lotus 56.
In 1969 he brought a four-wheel drive which looked dominant but burned in a crash causing Andretti to drive a back up to his only Indy 500 win.
“So saddened at the passing of Andy Granatelli. A true icon of IndyCar racing and a very dear friend to the Andretti family..” Andretti tweeted.
Appearing on American television he became as famous as Andretti and Petty.
Granatelli adopted the slogan for the STP additive calling it the “Racer's Edge.” which was STP's slogan. STP's sponsorship of Richard Petty's cars was one of the longest in the history of NASCAR.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles on the passing of Andy Granatelli.
"Andy Granatelli - known appropriately as "Mister 500" - understood better than anyone the spirit and challenge of the Indianapolis 500 and had a remarkable ability to combine innovative technologies with talented race car drivers to make his cars a threat to win at Indianapolis every year," said J. Douglas Boles, IMS. "Andy leaves a legacy of historic moments that will live forever in Indianapolis 500 lore including his famous turbine that dominated the 1967 Indianapolis 500, the Lotus 56 of 1968, and giving the great Mario Andretti a kiss on the cheek in victory lane after his 1969 win. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andy's family, friends and legion of fans."
His company STP, an oil additive, owned and sponsored Mario Andretti's 1969 Indy 500 winning car. And the photograph of “the kiss” in victory lane is iconic.
STP was a long time sponsor of NASCAR's “King” Richard Petty.
Lost in the mists of history are Granatelli's technology leading edge Novis, including the aircraft turbine-powered “whoosh” mobiles because they made so little noise. Parnelli Jones was leading the 1967 Indy 500 with three laps to go when a transmission bearing broke. The turbine powered car also raced the 1968 Indy 500 in a Lotus 56.
In 1969 he brought a four-wheel drive which looked dominant but burned in a crash causing Andretti to drive a back up to his only Indy 500 win.
“So saddened at the passing of Andy Granatelli. A true icon of IndyCar racing and a very dear friend to the Andretti family..” Andretti tweeted.
Appearing on American television he became as famous as Andretti and Petty.
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| Richard Petty and Andy Granatelli. (Photo: Getty for NASCAR) |
Granatelli adopted the slogan for the STP additive calling it the “Racer's Edge.” which was STP's slogan. STP's sponsorship of Richard Petty's cars was one of the longest in the history of NASCAR.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles on the passing of Andy Granatelli.
"Andy Granatelli - known appropriately as "Mister 500" - understood better than anyone the spirit and challenge of the Indianapolis 500 and had a remarkable ability to combine innovative technologies with talented race car drivers to make his cars a threat to win at Indianapolis every year," said J. Douglas Boles, IMS. "Andy leaves a legacy of historic moments that will live forever in Indianapolis 500 lore including his famous turbine that dominated the 1967 Indianapolis 500, the Lotus 56 of 1968, and giving the great Mario Andretti a kiss on the cheek in victory lane after his 1969 win. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andy's family, friends and legion of fans."