Andy Granatelli, one of the greatest names in American motorsports history has died at the age of 90 years old. He was the owner of two winning Indy 500 entries, the first was driven by Mario Andretti in 1969 and the second was driven by Gordon Johncock in 1973. Perhaps more importantly he was the maverick CEO of STP products and nearly captured two more victories at the race he so loved with the mind-bending turbine powered cars in 1967 and 1968. Through his life Granatelli was a speed shop entrepreneur, a race promoter, a racing driver, and a member of several motorsports halls of fame. Like all notable figures in racing history he was revered by some, loved by many, and hated by few. The man lived an amazingly full life and survived crashes both on the race track and in business with equal skill and bravery. His autobiography, “They Call Me Mr. 500″ is absolute required reading for any racing fan that considers themselves a historian of motorized competition.

Granatelli made millions and millions of dollars throughout his career in business and lots of it was tied into racing. He took STP from a relatively unknown brand and product to a brand that was absolutely impossible to miss at virtually any racing event in America. He was famous for having STP stickers and logos on absolutely everything and to this day any gearhead worth his or her salt sees an STP decal and immediately thinks of a race car or racing in general. His biggest ally and most famous sponsorship deal was struck with Richard Petty in 1972. The deal was almost a non-starter when a conflict struck up between the two because Granatelli wanted Petty’s stock car to be painted bright red, the dominant STP color, while Petty wanted to use the family’s famous “Petty blue”. In the end, Granatelli relented and the result was a sponsor relationship the likes of which motorsports had never seen before. Technically, Granatelli ended up signing Petty up for a lifetime sponsorship deal which is still in effect today.

Granatelli made tens of millions with his chain of auto repair shops known as Andy Granatelli’s Tuneup Masters which operated locations primarily west of the Mississippi. The chain had more than 150 locations before he sold it for some $53 million dollars in the late 1980s. Granatelli showed his smarts once again in this situation as the chain offered a flat rate for auto tune ups and light work. With the growing use of electronics and computers in cars at that time, it was nearly impossible to hold costs down and remain profitable. He sold the company to a large conglomerate who then had to quickly change the format of the business to sustain it. Smart guys know when to step off the gravy train.

The wold of motorsports has no more Andy Granatellis. No more guys that boot strapped their way up in the business and learned how to play the racing and business game from the inside out. He was a true American original and a true maverick. They literally don’t make them like Andy Granatelli any more and for that we’re all the lesser.

Something tells us that St. Peter has an STP logo on his back that Andy slapped on while passing through the pearly gates.

Our thoughts are with the Granatelli family as they mourn the loss of their patriarch.

Here’s the most famous photo of Andy Granatelli, kissing Mario Andretti in the winner’s circle of the 1969 Indy 500 –