Today, 13 April, is Dan Gurney's 85th birthday. Dan has been a legendary driver, designer, engineer and team owner. He was the first American to win in all four, F1, Indycar, sports cars & NASCAR. He is the only American to win an F1 race in a car of his own manufacture.
Dan is the inventor of the Gurney flap, sometimes referred to as a wicker bill, that is on almost every race car with any kind of even half decent aero. We even used them on dirt track cars. It is the small, interchangeable lip that kicks up at the back edge of a rear spoiler.
Dan also started the tradition of spraying champagne on the podium. He started it at Le Mans in 1966.
He is also, in my opinion, the greatest all-around race driver ever. Back when I was in high school, Car & Drive mag put out a "Dan Gurney for President" bumper sticker. Yes, I did have one on my street rodded 1961 Falcon wagon.
Happy birthday, Dan. Hope it's a good one, and thanks for all that you bring to racing.
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