RIP DAN GURNEY 1931-2018

LEARN MORE: The Auto Channel Dan Gurney News Archive

Dan Gurney ... Where to start?

Just his name alone stands for so much in our world ... a lifetime of contributions to motorsports, the way that he never seemed completely satisfied with the status quo, his effortless skill behind the wheel, and the upbeat spirit that he expressed endlessly.

He was our hero for so many reasons...

September 3, 1972 - Ontario Motor Speedway: Car owner Dan Gurney smiles as he heads to victory circle to congratulate Eagle driver Jerry Grant on running the first 200 mile per hour lap in Indy Car history.

You'll read elsewhere about the incredible driving talent of this man. You might not read as much about the fact that this guy who made all those great drives was just as interested in moving the technology of the sport ahead as he was about winning (and he was very interested in winning races) as a driver. He never won Indy or a World Championship but the roll call of innovations that he brought to the sport stand as an even stronger and even more important statement of his impact on the sport.

He sent a flight of Eagles into the racing world. We all watched those race cars, some of us worked on them, a few of us drove them, and all of us cheered on the incredible racing machines that Dan Gurney gave us. His life was one that touched millions ... his legacy is the true racing spirit that he lived every day. Dan Gurney ... Where to finish?

How about a plain old "Thank You" from one of your fans.

Dan Gurney 1931-2018