Daniel Sexton Gurney (April 13, 1931 - January 14, 2018) was one of the most important figures in the history of American auto racing. The son of a Metropolitan Opera star, he was born in Port Jefferson, New York, but moved to California as a teenager. He has been a driver, a car manufacturer and a team owner at racing's highest levels since 1958. He is one of only four US-born drivers to win a Formula One Grand Prix other than the Indianapolis 500, and the only one to win in a car of his own manufacturer. (The other three are Richie Ginther, Phil Hill and Peter Revson)
Gurney also won races in the IndyCar, NASCAR, Can-Am and Trans-Am Series. In 1967, after winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans together with A.J. Foyt, he spontaneously sprayed champagne while celebrating on the podium. Apart from starting this tradition, he also was the first to put a simple extension on the upper end of the rear wing. This device, called Gurney flap (or wickerbill), increases downforce with minimal airflow disturbance.
NASCAR[]
Gurney was nearly unbeatable in a NASCAR Grand National car at the old Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. Four of his five victories came with the famed Wood Brothers. NASCAR so resented Gurney's dominance of this event (and his resultant "stealing" of prize money from and embarrassment of the NASCAR good-old boys) that they docked him a lap for a minor infraction during the 1967 race, forcing Gurney to run hard enough to ruin his engine and breaking his streak of victories. However, the race was won by Parnelli Jones, another open wheel driver making a one-off appearance. He would still win five times at the track in his career.
Death[]
Gurney died on January 14, 2018 from complications of pneumonia in Newport Beach, California at the age of 86.