Happy 80th birthday, Dan Gurney

Here's a birthday shoutout to racing legend Dan Gurney, who turns 80 on Wednesday.

In a long career, Gurney has been a driver, a car builder and a team owner.

He was the first driver to win races in Formula One, Indy cars, sports cars and NASCAR. His invention of the Gurney Flap gave cars more downforce without creating a ton of extra drag.

And, every time a race winner sprays the crowd with champagne--or beer or whatever--it's all because of Gurney, who did it first with A. J. Foyt when they won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967.

By AutoWeek staff