The celebrated American motor racing innovator, Andy Granatelli, has died aged 90.
One of three brothers, Andy was known as ‘Mister 500’, entering and then trying to qualify as a driver in the Indy 500 in the late 1940’s before a qualifying crash ended his career as a driver.
Through the 1960’s he became the public face of STP oil, appearing in ads. He was the chief executive of STP.
During that decade, the colourful Granatelli re-introduced the legendary Novi engine, with his most noted entries in the Indianapolis 500 being the turbine-powered cars in 1967 and 1968.
In 1969 Granatelli won the Indy 500 when Mario Andretti scored victory in the back-up car after his innovative Lotus four-wheel-drive was destroyed in a practice accident.
Granatelli was also the person credited with hooking up the enduring STP sponsorship for NASCAR’s ‘king’, Richard Petty.
Andretti tweeted: ‘So saddened at the passing of Andy Granatelli. A true icon of IndyCar racing and a very dear friend to the Andretti family…’
