The story of James Garner's year with his racing team, from the time he bought the car, and assembled his team through Mexico, England, Florida and Canada.
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James Garner (born James Scott Bumgarner; April 7, 1928 – July 19, 2014) was an American actor, producer, and voice artist. He starred in several television series over more than five decades, including such popular roles as Bret Maverick in the 1950s western comedy series Maverick and Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files, and played leading roles in more than 50 theatrical films, including The Great Escape (1963) with Steve McQueen, Paddy Chayefsky's The Americanization of Emily (1964), Grand Prix (1966), Blake Edwards' Victor Victoria (1982), Murphy's Romance (1985), for which he received an Academy Award nomination, Space Cowboys (2000) with Clint Eastwood, and The Notebook (2004). Description above from the Wikipedia article James Garner, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Mario Gabriele Andretti (born February 28, 1940) is a retired Italian American world champion racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR (the other being Dan Gurney). He also won races in midget cars, sprint cars, and drag racing. During his career, Andretti won four IndyCar titles (three under USAC-sanctioning, one under CART), the 1978 Formula One World Championship, and IROC VI. To date, he remains the only driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500 (1969), Daytona 500 (1967) and the Formula One World Championship, and, along with Juan Pablo Montoya, the only driver to have won a race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Formula One, and an Indianapolis 500. No American has won a Formula One race since Andretti's victory at the 1978 Dutch Grand Prix. Andretti had 109 career wins on major circuits. Andretti had a long career in racing. He was the only person to be named United States Driver of the Year in three decades (1967, 1978, and 1984). He was also one of only three drivers to win races on road courses, paved ovals, and dirt tracks in one season, a feat that he accomplished four times. With his final IndyCar win in April 1993, Andretti became the first driver to win IndyCar races in four different decades and the first to win automobile races of any kind in five. In American popular culture, his name has become synonymous with speed, similar to Barney Oldfield in the early twentieth century and Stirling Moss in the United Kingdom. Description above from the Wikipedia article Mario Andretti licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Bob Bondurant (April 27, 1933 – November 12, 2021) was an American racing driver and one of the world’s most respected driving instructors, known for his contributions to sports car racing and driver training. Born in Evanston, Illinois, Bondurant made his mark in the 1960s, racing in sports cars, Formula 1, and endurance events. He achieved success driving for teams like Shelby American and Ferrari, notably winning the GT class at the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans with co-driver Dan Gurney in a Shelby Daytona Coupe. Bondurant’s career was cut short in 1967 due to a serious accident, but he channeled his expertise into founding the Bob Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving. Established in 1968, the school trained professional drivers, law enforcement, and countless enthusiasts, becoming a cornerstone of driver education worldwide. Bondurant’s impact on motorsport extended beyond racing, as his school set the standard for high-performance driver training, helping drivers master skills needed for both safety and competitive racing. His legacy lives on in the generations of drivers he mentored and the contributions he made to motorsport and driver education.
Mark Donohue (March 18, 1937 – August 19, 1975) was a distinguished American racing driver and engineer, celebrated for his versatility and technical acumen across various motorsport disciplines. Born in Haddon Township, New Jersey, Donohue earned a mechanical engineering degree from Brown University, which he adeptly applied to his racing endeavors. In 1966, Donohue began a pivotal partnership with team owner Roger Penske, leading to significant successes in the United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC) and the Trans-Am Series. His engineering insights and driving prowess were instrumental in securing multiple championships for Penske Racing. Donohue's achievements extended to the Indianapolis 500, where he won in 1972, setting a record speed that stood for over a decade. He also made notable contributions to Formula 1, driving for Penske's team and earning a podium finish at the 1971 Canadian Grand Prix. Tragically, Donohue's life was cut short following a crash during a practice session for the 1975 Austrian Grand Prix. His legacy endures through his innovative approach to racing and his profound impact on motorsport engineering.
Richard Remick Smothers (born November 20, 1938) is an American actor, comedian, composer, and musician. He was half of the musical comedy team the Smothers Brothers, with his older brother Tom Smothers.
David Hobbs, born on June 9, 1939, in Leamington Spa, England, is a former British racing driver and renowned motorsport commentator. Known for his versatility and wit, Hobbs enjoyed a successful racing career across various disciplines, including Formula 1, IndyCar, endurance racing, and touring cars. He competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans multiple times and achieved podium finishes, and also participated in Formula 1, where he raced sporadically for teams like BRM, Honda, and McLaren. In the United States, Hobbs became well-known for his racing in the Can-Am and Trans-Am series, as well as in NASCAR. After retiring from professional driving, he transitioned to a successful career in broadcasting, where he became a beloved Formula 1 commentator for NBC Sports and Speed Channel, known for his humorous and insightful commentary. Hobbs' long-standing contributions to motorsport as both a driver and commentator have made him an influential and respected figure in the racing community, particularly for American fans. His autobiography, Hobbo: Motor Racer, Motor Mouth, offers a detailed look at his colorful career and personality.
Lothar Motschenbacher, born on October 7, 1938, in Germany, is a former racing driver known for his accomplishments in North American open-wheel and sports car racing. Motschenbacher moved to the United States early in his career and gained recognition as a skilled driver in the competitive Can-Am series in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Known for his consistency and adaptability, he was a regular competitor in Can-Am events, often racing against top drivers and factory-backed teams. Though he never secured a win in Can-Am, Motschenbacher's persistence and driving skill earned him numerous podium finishes, placing him among the top competitors in the series during its heyday. In addition to Can-Am, he also competed in Formula 5000 and other sports car events, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and reliable driver. Motschenbacher eventually retired from racing but is remembered for his competitive spirit and contributions to North American motorsport during an exciting era in racing history.
Roger Penske, born on February 20, 1937, in Shaker Heights, Ohio, is an American motorsport legend, entrepreneur, and founder of Penske Corporation. Known for his business acumen and passion for racing, Penske built a motorsport empire that includes IndyCar, NASCAR, and previously, Formula 1 teams. His team, Team Penske, is one of the most successful in motorsport history, particularly in the IndyCar Series, where it has claimed numerous championships and victories, including multiple wins at the prestigious Indianapolis 500. Penske's influence extends beyond racing; he is a successful businessman with a diverse portfolio, including Penske Truck Leasing and a network of automotive dealerships. In 2019, Penske acquired the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar Series, further cementing his impact on American motorsport. Known for his meticulous approach and commitment to excellence, Penske is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in racing history, with a legacy that spans over six decades.
