NEWPORT BEACH — Dan Gurney, the first driver with victories in each of the Formula One, IndyCar and NASCAR Cup series, died Sunday from complications of pneumonia. He was 86.
His wife, Evi, announced his death in a statement distributed by All American Racers Inc.
FILE – This May 31, 1969 file photo shows Grand Prix racer Dan Gurney. Gurney, the first driver to win in Formula One, IndyCar and NASCAR, died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 from complications of pneumonia. He was 86. His wife, Evi, announced his death in a statement distributed by All American Racers, Inc. (AP Photo)
“With one last smile on his handsome face, Dan drove off into the unknown just before noon today,” said the statement signed by Evi Gurney, the Gurney family and AAR teammates.
“In deepest sorrow, with gratitude in our hearts for the love and joy you have given us during your time on this earth, we say, ‘Godspeed.”
Gurney began racing in 1955 and won in nearly every racing series he attempted. He drove for Ferrari, BRM, Porsche and Brabham in Formula One, then formed his own team. He won the Belgian Grand Prix in 1967 in his own car, the first and only time an American won an F1 race in a car of his own design.
Gurney teamed with AJ Foyt that year to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Ford GT40, and he’s often credited with starting the tradition of spraying the champagne from the podium at that race.
Gurney retired from driving in 1970 with 51 victories.
“When we talk about legendary American drivers, owners and car constructors on an international stage, Dan Gurney is one of the all-time greats,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles said in a statement. “His skill in all three areas helped him make an indelible mark and serve as a huge influence in this sport. Dan was a giant in the racing world, in every sense.”
Mario Andretti and Juan Pablo Montoya are the only other drivers to win in each of the IndyCar, Formula One and NASCAR Cup series. Andretti hailed Gurney in a post on Twitter.
“I was first inspired by him when I was in midgets dreaming of being like him. I was last inspired by him yesterday. Yes, I mean forever,” Andretti wrote. “He understood me better than anyone else, which is why he wrote the foreword for my book in 2001.”
Funeral arrangements are to be private but the family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Hoag Hospital Foundation in Newport Beach, where Evi and Dan Gurney lived.
FILE – This July 27, 2007 file photo shows legendary race car driver Dan Gurney smiling while signing autographs during an appearance at the Concours d’Elegance historic automobile show in Newport, R.I. Gurney, the first driver to win in Formula One, IndyCar and NASCAR, died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 from complications of pneumonia. He was 86. His wife, Evi, announced his death in a statement distributed by All American Racers, Inc. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, file)
A biography on the All American Racers website said Evi and Dan Gurney have two sons. Dan Gurney had four children from his first marriage and had eight grandchildren.
Source: Oc Register
Racing legend Dan Gurney, who lived in Newport Beach, dies at age 86
More from MotorsportsMore posts in Motorsports »
- Rebuild a car in 48 hours? Shelby Crackston shows what women can do in the garage
- These women are creating community at the Grand Prix of Long Beach
- At the Grand Prix of Long Beach, these are the women racers to watch
- Grand Prix of Long Beach: Katherine Legge is driving progress — on and off the race track
- Ex-Formula 1 champ Jenson Button lists Palm Springs retreat for $2.3 million
More from NewsMore posts in News »
- Plan to kill Catalina deer using sharpshooters in copters is opposed by county
- Haiti’s fragile health system nearing collapse as chaos grips country
- Reunited and it feels so good: Voyager 1 is talking sense again
- Firefighter, forester, trail builder: The first US Climate Corps jobs are here
- TikTok digs in to fight US ban with 170 million users at stake
More from ObituariesMore posts in Obituaries »
- Roman Gabriel, former Rams QB great, dies at 83
- Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
- Whitey Herzog, Hall of Fame manager who led St. Louis Cardinals to 3 pennants, dies at 92
- Josh Waring, son of ex-‘Real Housewives’ of OC cast member Lauri Peterson, dead at 35
- Cecil Murray, first AME pastor who calmed LA after ’92 Riots, dies at age 94
More from Orange County NewsMore posts in Orange County News »
More from SportsMore posts in Sports »
- Roman Gabriel, former Rams QB great, dies at 83
- Whitey Herzog, Hall of Fame manager who led St. Louis Cardinals to 3 pennants, dies at 92
- Rancho Cucamonga Quakes’ rebrand as Chaquetas, which means ‘jackets’ — and something else
- Ex-Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias charged in domestic violence case
- NFL owners approve a radical overhaul to kickoff rules, AP source says, adopting setup used in XFL
More from Top Stories OCRMore posts in Top Stories OCR »
- Plan to kill Catalina deer using sharpshooters in copters is opposed by county
- Reunited and it feels so good: Voyager 1 is talking sense again
- Nonprofit accuses Orange of using unrealistic parcels in its housing plan
- Bill allowing kids to pull animals from fair auctions (and slaughter) faces opposition
- Shooter gets life without parole for Santa Ana gang killing
Be First to Comment