GM-EFI Magazine: "Growing Up Granatelli" and Three Generations of a Racing Family

GM-EFI Magazine covered the first episode of "Growing Up Granatelli," a video series about the father and son behind Granatelli Motor Sports. The article introduces the company's founder, Joe Granatelli Jr., known as J.R., and his son Joey, known as JoJo, who was working at the company while attending college full time.

The story, "VIDEO: Growing up Granatelli - Episode One," was written by Rick Seitz and published on March 30, 2015.

What GM-EFI Reported

• Granatelli Motor Sports is owned, operated and was founded by Joe Granatelli Jr.
• The company grew from a small operation in 1989 into a major name in the performance aftermarket
• J.R. is a second-generation racer and hot-rodder, following his father, Joe Granatelli Sr., and his uncles Andy and Vince
• His son was working at Granatelli Motor Sports while going to college full time, learning how to run the family business

The episode itself is lighthearted. As GM-EFI describes it, a good part of the fun is J.R.'s reaction when he finds out what his son has been modifying.

Three Generations

The family story starts with three brothers, Joe, Vince and Andy Granatelli, who opened a speed shop in Chicago called Grancor. Andy went on to lead the STP racing teams at the Indianapolis 500.

J.R. founded Granatelli Motor Sports as a manufacturer in 1989. Today JoJo Granatelli is the third generation in the business and the team's test driver.

In August 2026, more than a decade after that first episode, JoJo set the Red List Series quarter-mile record at Famoso Dragstrip.

Watch and Read the Original Coverage

Read the story at GM-EFI Magazine

Watch "Growing Up Granatelli," Episode One, on YouTube

More Granatelli install, dyno and racing videos are in the Granatelli Motor Sports video gallery.

Related reading: JoJo Granatelli Sets the Red List Series Quarter-Mile Record: 7.06 Seconds at 157 MPH

Related reading: The 1968 Lotus Wedge: Inside One of Indy Racing's Boldest Experiments

More about the Granatelli family and Granatelli Motor Sports

Shop the Parts the Family Builds

• Granatelli Performance Ignition Coils for GM, Ford and Dodge engines
• Granatelli 0-Ohm Spark Plug Wires
• Granatelli Drive-By-Wire Throttle Bodies
• Granatelli Electronic Exhaust Cutouts
• Granatelli Wastegates and Blow-Off Valves
• Granatelli Billet LS & LT Intake Manifolds

About Granatelli Motor Sports

Granatelli Motor Sports, based in Oxnard, California, has built performance parts for street, street/strip and race vehicles since 1989, including ignition coils, spark plug wires, throttle bodies, turbo components and electronic exhaust cutouts.

Shop Granatelli Motor Sports