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Fast Failures: American heartbreak at the Indianapolis 500

A real American hero was lost from the history books within sight of the finish of the 1967 Indianapolis 500. MARK GLENDENNING revisits the infamous STP turbine Indycar

The tale of the STP Oil Treatment Special turbine Indycar is one of gamesmanship and technical innovation, with a liberal sprinkling of mercenary opportunism. It wasn't the first turbine car to turn up at Indy, and nor was it the last. But it's certainly the most notorious.

The car was built in secrecy for famed owner Andy Granatelli, and over the course of May 1967, it snowballed from a curiosity as the first turbine-powered entry to qualify for the 500, to one of the most controversial machines in the event's history when it came within just a few miles of actually winning.

Previous article IndyCar to keep double points for Indy 500 and Sonoma finale
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