George Bignotti won seven Indy 500s, 85 open-wheel races as a chief mechanic. 1916 - 2013

As Autoweek put it in this writing yesterday: Open-wheel racing lost a true legend on Friday as legendary mechanic George Bignotti passed away in his Las Vegas home. Born in San Francisco in 1916, it was his two older brothers, Al and John, who got George involved in midget racing as a mechanic. Often filling in as a substitute driver, he drove hardtops in the Bay Area winning 14 of 18 starts in a single season. Married in 1949, he gave up driving and focused his skills as a mechanic. In 1954, Bignotti went to Indianapolis at the request of driver Freddie Agabashian to work on the chassis, helping Agabashian achieve a 6th place finish. He teamed up with A. J. Foyt for two Indianapolis 500 wins in 1961 and 1964 and three USAC championships. Bignotti went on to wrench five more Indianapolis 500 victories: Graham Hill in 1966 for (John) Mecom Racing, Al Unser Sr. in 1970 and 1971 for Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing, Gordon Johncock in 1973 for Patrick Racing, and Tom Sneva in 1983 for Bignotti-Cotter Racing. In total, Bignotti is credited with 89 open wheel victories as chief mechanic. In 1984, leaving Bignotti-Cotter Racing where he was co-owner with Dan Cotter of True Value Hardware, Bignotti became a consultant for Mobil Oil. In retirement he played golf up to three times a week achieving a score well below his age. Bignotti was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1993. The Indianapolis Motor Speeedway issued a statement on Friday that said, "We're saddened to learn of the passing of George Bignotti. George is a true legend. He set a standard for mechanical excellence and preparation at the Indianapolis 500 that has yet to be matched and may never be reached. George's love and loyalty toward the '500' never waned throughout his wonderful, long life, and he had countless friends and admirers in Gasoline Alley and the IndyCar community. Everyone at IMS extends their thoughts, prayers and sympathy to the Bignotti family." Bignotti was an avid Colts and New York Yankees fan. He is survived by his former second wife, Kay, daughter Mary, and two grandsons from his late son William. Bignotti will be interred at Crown Hills in Indianapolis. A memorial service is planned at Indianapolis next May. I was playing football in a field on the west side of Indianapolis in the late Spring in 1983. I just moved back from Wisconsin from the Town of Port Washington. I had a very tough time living in Wisconsin, and it was good to be back home again in Indiana as the song goes. Billy Bignotti was starting to become a good friend, which is George Bignotti’s son. The day back then was wonderful, the grass was starting to turn green and everyone was outside doing something. You see we didn’t have video games to sit in front of for hours. When weather was permitting; either I was playing football, or playing tennis. Most of the time, I was with my friends, Kenny, Rick, Vince, Leo, Adam, Judy, Michelle, Dana, JeNell, Mike, and I was part of a larger group called Northwest High School. At one time or another we all at Northwest High School hung out. Billy Bignotti gave me a beer after playing football and said, “Hey Jimmy, do you want to head over to the race shop?” Now Billy Bignotti was about ten years older than me, but over on the west side of Indianapolis it didn’t matter when it came to football. If you can take the pain you can play the game as we will always have said. Now when Billy asked me that question I was so excited I just couldn’t breathe. I went to the race shop and was so excited and I met George Bignotti for the first time. George spent time with me showing me everything in that race shop. George told stories of all the Indy500 wins from time to time. I sat down with George in 2007 when he explained Billys death in 2005, as I started to cry, George said, “Jimmy, Billy is just getting heaven ready for us.” George had a peaceful look in his eyes. I have had 30 years of stories of kindness from the Bignotti’s. May George rest in peace. Jim Gandolf