Andy Granatelli's Big Heart-Aches Didn't Get Him Down

I just finished reading the book by Andy Granatelli "They Call Me Mr. 500" but, the book was ironically written and titled before Andy ever won the "500". His quest for the "500" lasted over 20 years when this book was written and in the end someone else already left with the cup.

Granatelli's early successes and failures came with the fabled Offy engines, reliable and true but fate would sideline his efforts year after year. His boldest move was the turbine engine in 1967 when driver Parnelli Jones had the win in sight but another twist of fate would come apart with a transmission bearing while Jones was leading with 3 laps to go. However, old Andy wouldn't let it get him down, he would look toward the future while reflecting fondly on the past.

Andy had a great attitude, a winning attitude and eventually he would win in `69, the year after his book was published in another ironic twist with a 2-year-old Ford Hawk with Mario Andretti. Andy's main car; a new concept 4-wheel-drive wedge-shaped Lotus, was wrecked in practice.

A quote for Andy sums it up:

"Well, it has been a great race. Each one of these bumps, accidents, events, crashes---bitter disappointments---that you have read about, has left me a bit wiser. I am now wary of the world. But I'm still eager to face it." - Andy Granatelli

Andy Granatelli exemplifies what racing is all about. It's not always the triumphs we tend to relish in that strengthen us rather, it's the tragedies that make us grow wiser.

Jim Wilmore original slides from personal collection. Do not duplicate

Jim, I first read that book in 1971, it's been an influence in my life ever since. It's also the best racing book I've ever read......a close second, though, is "Driving With the Devil".

Bobby, I searched and found this book after your recommendation on The Goat Rodeo, and yes, it is a fantastic book, an insight to the hardships of racing. It's not all fame and fortune, to the contrary, it's more the hardships and pitfalls that keeps us chasing the cup.

Andy cut an iconoclastic path at Indy, as well as in NASCAR with his STP sponsorship of the #43. Those of us who followed racing at the time will never forget all the controversies surrounding the "whisper" cars and the resulting rules changes.

As exciting as it was for Andretti to win in '69 for Granatelli, my heart ached for poor Lloyd Ruby who led the race until the fueling problem, leaving the pits with the hose attached.

Ruby tried for so many years and was so well respected by his fellow competitors that it was just heart wrenching that day to have him again be denied the swig on the milk jug.

I may have misread Andy in his statement "Each one of these.....bitter disappointments." My mention of him "reflecting fondly of the past" could be a misrepresentation.