Andy Granatelli

Andy Granatelli, also known as Mr. 500, has had a very interesting life and career as a race car driver, showman, businessman, and motivational speaker. His accomplishments could fill two web sites; in his lifetime he has accomplished more than most people could ever dream of. He has been associated with the Mc Culloch Supercharger Company, the Paxton Supercharger Company, Studebaker Avanti, STP, and a host of other endeavors. But why mention an Indy 500 winner here, at a site devoted to Chrysler 300s? You must be kidding. Didn't you ever hear of Mr. 300?

Andy Granatelli, born in 1929, has combined business acumen and salesmanship to produce many varied careers. In 1948 he passed his driver's test at Indy using his friend Bill France, Sr.'s helmet. Soon thereafter, he was Vice Chairman of NASCAR. He was President of the "Hurricane Racing Association, Inc.," and promoted hot rod and stock car races throughout the Midwest with the biggest quarter mile crowd ever, 89,560 people at Soldiers' Field in Chicago.

As Chief Driver and Engineer at Studebaker Racing, he set over 400 world speed records. At the age of 62 in his street legal passenger car, he drove to an amazing record of 241.731 mph on pump gasoline. He took the immortal Novi racing engine and increased the horsepower from 450 to 837. He also designed the Studebaker Avanti R I, II, III and IV engines. He was responsible for starting March Works, which builds Formula II cars. He designed, built, and raced the world famous Indianapolis turbine engine cars in 1967 and 1968, and his race cars have won the Indianapolis 500 twice. His business accomplishments are still buzzed about in financial circles. He took an unknown company called Chemical Compounds, changed it's name to STP, and in nine years made STP a household word.

Granatelli went to Indianapolis with the Turbine car with Parnelli Jones as his driver. Jones led 197 laps of the 200-lap race until a gear bearing failed. Afterward, USAC banned the car.

In 1969, Granatelli teamed up with Mario Andretti to win his first Indianapolis 500. He won it again in 1973 with Gordon Johncock as his driver. Granatelli brought STP sponsorship to Petty Enterprises and Richard Petty, who won immediately and often. That relationship, the STP-Petty union, one of the longest associations in all of motorsports.

In 1960, Granatelli received one of the several 300F GT Specials for use at Daytona. He promptly added two Paxton superchargers to the big 413, and with an estimated 800 horsepower on tap blasted down the beach at 179 mph. This is probably the fastest speed ever recorded with a 300. As a testament to the 300's versatility, Granatelli used to drive the supercharged F to work. See the 300F GT Special section for full details and pictures.