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Other Sports => Other Sports => Topic started by: cosworth151 on December 30, 2013, 12:46:58 PM

Title: "Mister 500" Dies at 90
Post by: cosworth151 on December 30, 2013, 12:46:58 PM

The racing world has lost one of its great personalities. And Granatelli was a little bit of everything in motorsports, from driver to promoter to car owner to innovator to sponsor. In many ways he was the ultimate promoter of the sport, responsible for so many of racing's creative initiatives.

He and his lesser known brothers are best known for their ownership of STP. He brought Indy the wonderful Novi V8's and the failed turbines. He sponsored Mario Andretti's only Indy 500 win. the picture of him planting a kiss on Andretti's cheek in the Winner's Circle is absolutely iconic.

In the 50's and 60's, he set speed records with Studebakers. In 1962, he made the ferocious supercharged R3 Avanti the fastest production car in the world. Not satisfied with that, he built the twin supercharged R5.

In NASCAR, he created the series' first big sponsorship deals. His sponsorship of Richard Petty was one of the longest, most successful in the history of sports.

His autobiography, "They Call Me Mister 500" is one of the great racing books.

R.I.P., Andy. You did it all, did it well and did it with style!  :good:

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20131229/indycar/131229909#ixzz2oxdDOzwe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK2frmtB0cs

 

Title: Re: "Mister 500" Dies at 90
Post by: F1fanaticBD on December 30, 2013, 08:18:35 PM

 :'( :'( :'( :'(

Rest in peace Andy, surely motor-racing circuit will be a poorer place without your presence.

A little boy at the age of 4 would come to know about your logo, and would have memories attached to it and whenever he see that logo, it reminds him of his early days of racing fantasy. He may not have turned out to be a world famous person, but surely your willingness and passion for the sports has been instigated in this person heart forever. I will be grateful forever for that, and you will be missed.

Title: Re: "Mister 500" Dies at 90
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on December 31, 2013, 07:35:04 AM

Rest in peace Andy. Ya done good!! :good: :good:

Title: Re: "Mister 500" Dies at 90
Post by: J.Clark on January 02, 2014, 12:22:51 AM

As a kid growing (only 35 miles from the Speedway), I was very familiar with this guy's accomplishments.  I lived through his early success as a teenager.  He made some of the most significant contributions to motorsports of all-time.  He will be missed. :(

Title: Re: "Mister 500" Dies at 90
Post by: cosworth151 on January 03, 2014, 09:51:33 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ9Sth3gP5Q

Title: Re: "Mister 500" Dies at 90
Post by: J.Clark on February 21, 2014, 10:46:53 PM

Rest in peace Andy.
Thank you for all that you did for motor sports and especially open wheel racing series.  You will be missed.