Anthony "Andy" Granatelli was the CEO of STP and a major figure in automobile racing events. Granatelli was born in Dallas, Texas. Along with his brothers Vince and Joe, he first worked as an auto mechanic and "speed-shop" entrepreneur, modifying engines such as the "flathead" Ford into racing-quality equipment. During World War II, he became a promoter of automobile racing events, such as the "Hurricane Racing Association," which combined racing opportunities for up-and-coming drivers with crowd-pleasing theatrics. Hurricane events, according to Granatelli in his autobiography They Call Me Mister 500, included drivers who were experts at executing?and surviving?roll-over and end-over-end crashes, and also an ambulance that not only got caught up into the race but also ejected a stretcher into the way of the racers. 

March 18th, 1923 in Dallas  /  Died:   Dec 29th, 2013