Dan Gurney

(Image/Automotive Hall of Fame)

Dan Gurney, one of the most famous race car drivers in history, passed away yesterday.

Gurney was both an experienced car builder and driver, competing in the Formula 1, NASCAR, Can-Am and IndyCar race series, racing for Lotus, Porsche, McLaren, BRM, and his own All American Racers teams.

Gurney’s career includes several Formula 1 and NASCAR victories; wins at Le Mans, Daytona, and Sebring; and a trio of podium finishes at the Indianapolis 500. He is one of three drivers (Mario Andretti, Juan Pablo Montoya) to record wins in NASCAR, sports cars, Formula 1, and IndyCar.

Known for his talent as a car builder as well, Gurney’s innovations include the “Gurney Flap,” a small flap on the trailing edge of a wing designed to improve the performance of the airfoil. Gurney was the first driver to use a full-face helmet in Grand Prix racing. He is also credited for starting the victory lane champagne-spraying tradition that accompanies race-winning celebrations.

Gurney Flap

The “Gurney Flap” was designed to improve airfoil performance and can still be seen in modern applications. (Image/Wikipedia)

 

He drove a car of his own design to victory at the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix, marking the first (and only) time an American had accomplished the feat. Gurney’s All American Racers team has built over 100 “Eagle” race cars and is the only United States car constructor that has designed and built a winning F1 Grand Prix car, a winning Indianapolis 500 car, and a winning sports car.

He retired from racing in 1970, earning 51 victories over a 11-year career.

Gurney was 86 years old.

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Author: Paul Sakalas

Paul is the editor of OnAllCylinders. When he's not writing, you'll probably find him fixing oil leaks in a Jeep CJ-5 or roof leaks in an old Corvette ragtop. Thanks to a penchant for vintage Honda motorcycles, he spends the rest of his time fiddling with carburetors and cleaning chain lube off his left pant leg.