Anthony "Andy"Granatelli (March 18, 1923 – December 29, 2013) was an American businessman, most prominent as the CEO ofSTP as well as a major figure in automobile racing events.[1]
Granatelli was born inDallas, Texas. Along with his brothers Vince and Joe, he first worked as anauto mechanic and "speed-shop" entrepreneur, modifying engines such as theflathead Ford into racing-quality equipment. DuringWorld War II, he became a promoter of automobile racing events, such as the "Hurricane Racing Association", which combined racing opportunities for up-and-coming drivers with crowd-pleasing theatrics. Hurricane events, according to Granatelli in his autobiographyThey Call Me Mister 500, included drivers who were experts at executing—and surviving—roll-over and end-over-end crashes, and also an ambulance that not only got caught up into the race but also ejected a stretcher (with a dummy on it) into the way of the racers.
In 1946, the three brothers entered the first of severalIndianapolis 500 races, as the Grancor racing team. They did their own mechanical work, and brought innovations like fully independent suspension, yet never made it to "Victory Lane". In 1948, Andy decided to try to qualify as a driver, and nearly did so, but a horrendous crash during his qualifying run ended that part of his career.
In the 1950s, in Chicago, Granatelli served as the promoter ofauto races at Soldier Field, as well as at other venues.[2][3]
Granatelli became visible in the racing world in the 1960s as the spokesman forSTP oil and gasoline treatment products, appearing on its television and radio advertisements as well as sponsoring race cars. He clad his pit crews in white coveralls with the oval STP logo scattered all over them, and once wore a suit jacket with the same STP-laden design.He made a cameo appearance in the 1968 Disney movieThe Love Bug.
Granatelli's cars became a significant presence at the Indianapolis 500. While he first gained notoriety by re-introducing theNovi engine, his best known entries were histurbine-powered cars in1967 and1968. In both years, he saw probable race-winners fail near the end;Joe Leonard's breakdown in theLotus 56 with 10 laps remaining in 1968 had been topped the previous year whenParnelli Jones, leading comfortably with just three laps to go, suffered the failure of a six dollar transmission bearing in theSTP-Paxton Turbocar and retired, handing a sure victory toA. J. Foyt.[4]
He was awarded as an Indianapolis 500 winner in 1969. After his innovative Lotusfour-wheel drive car was destroyed in practice upon establishing itself as one of the most dominants cars to date, his driverMario Andretti, nursing the burns from the Lotus crash, won at the wheel of a year-old backup car. Before Andretti could be traditionally kissed in "Victory Lane" by the Queen of the "500 Festival", Granatelli got there first, and his joyful kiss on Andretti's cheek is one of the 500's most memorable images. However rumor is that the kiss began the infamousIndianapolis 500 curse that is named for Mario Andretti's family.
In 1973, Granatelli retired his USAC team, and STP became a sponsor ofPatrick Racing.Gordon Johncock won the 1973 and 1982 Indianapolis 500 for the brand.
It was believed that Granatelli attended everyIndianapolis 500, whether as a participant or as a spectator, from 1946–2012.[5] He did not attend the race in 2013, and died later that year.
Granatelli bought Tuneup Masters in 1976 for $300,000. He sold it for $60 million in 1986.[4]
He was inducted into theInternational Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1992 and theMotorsports Hall of Fame of America[6] in 2001. Granatelli was inducted in theNational Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2011[7] and theNational Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2013.[8]
Granatelli died from congestive heart failure at the age of 90 on December 29, 2013 inSanta Barbara, California.[4]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | The Love Bug | Association President |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
