‘Mr. 500’ Andy Granatelli Passes Away At Age 90

Andy Granatelli plants a kiss on the cheek of his driver, Mario Andretti, in victory lane after winning the 1969 Indianapolis 500. Granatelli passed away Sunday at the age of 90. Photo courtesy Indianapolis Motor Speedway Media

Motorsports legend Andy Granatelli passed away Sunday at the age of 90.

Born in 1923 in Dallas, TX, Granatelli started work as a mechanic, and would become a racing promoter and later a celebrated car owner.

In the 1960’s, Granatelli would become one of the most visible people in the sport as a representative for STP Oil and Gasoline products, including appearing in advertisements for the products. His race crews, decked out in STP coveralls, would become iconic within the sport.

In 1967 and 1968, Granatelli would enter turbine-powered entries into the Indianapolis 500. Both years the cars would break down late in the going while contending for the lead. In 1967, Joe Leonard would see his race end with 56 laps remaining, while Parnelli Jones would break a transmission bearing in the STP racer while leading with just three laps to go.

Granatelli was part of one of the most celebrates moments in Indy 500 history, as his car, piloted by Mario Andretti, would score the victory in 1969. Granatelli, overcome with joy, kissed Andretti on the cheek in victory lane. The image would become one of the most iconic in the history of the famed race.

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In 1972, Granatelli negotiated what was arguably his biggest deal in racing, as he signed NASCAR legend Richard Petty to a sponsorship contract with STP. The deal almost fell through over the color of the car. Granatelli insisted his cars must be painted STP red. Petty, however, insisted his race car must be painted Petty Blue. It situation came to a head when Petty go up to leave the negotiating table. Granatelli quickly compromised with Petty to paint the cars blue and red.

For years, there was a clause in the contract that, if Petty would paint the car completely red, he would receive a bonus. Petty never collected on that bonus.

The sponsorship would remain in place for over 30 years, the longest in NASCAR history.

With STP on board, Petty would win five of his seven Daytona 500 victories, and four of his NASCAR Sprint Cup championships.  Upon winning the Daytona 500 one year, Granatelli attempted to kiss Petty in victory lane, but Petty was able to duck him.  Granatelli then planted a kiss on the cheek of Petty’s father, former Daytona 500 and Sprint Cup champion Lee Petty instead.

Granatelli was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1992, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2001, the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2011 and the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2013.