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Young Guns: Hot Rodding’s New Heroes May 1995 issue of Hot Rod magazine

By Joey Granatelli1 min read

J.R. Granatelli – Paxton Products & Granatelli Motor Sports

A vice president at 27, J.R. Granatelli reinvented Paxton Products' automotive division. After securing distribution channels and increasing sales of Paxton's performance products, he played a pivotal role in developing three new superchargers and created the Granatelli Signature Series (GSS) Camaro—a red and black showcase of Paxton power.

While the Granatelli name may have opened doors, J.R. earned his place through vision and drive. As a child, he snuck into a warehouse filled with retired Granatelli IndyCars, pretending to be a race car driver. Later, dressed in a tiny suit, he joined his father on business trips.

"Maybe that's why I understood business at such a young age. I heard the deals over and over again, until they were second nature."

His entrepreneurial spirit showed early:

  • In 6th grade, he outsold every student in candy fundraisers.
  • By 7th grade, he invested $500 into a Junior Achievement project—marketing a pollution control device called the Air-Computer.
  • He turned it into GranCor, a $2 million business before high school graduation.

J.R. wanted to race, but his mother insisted on education. After a stint at MIT, he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University.

When his ideas clashed with his father's vision for Paxton, he launched Granatelli Motor Sports—which quickly became the #1 Paxton supercharger distributor.

He returned to Paxton in 1989 to lead sales and marketing, building distribution from mom-and-pop shops to national chains like Super Shops. Under his leadership, sales doubled two years in a row. In 1992, SEMA honored him as its youngest-ever Young Executive of the Year.

Granatelli's days start at 5:30 AM and go deep into the evening, balancing product development, marketing strategy, and customer engagement. With his relentless pace and bold confidence, some mistake him for arrogant.

"Confidence can be mistaken for arrogance. You must be totally self-confident. You must think you're the best. That attitude translates into everything you do."

J.R.'s Advice to the Next Generation

"It's all about aptitude and desire. Follow your passion. Don't be intimidated by others. Make your job the best and do it until you drop."
J.R. Granatelli and his GSS Camaro Z28, a rolling showpiece of Paxton engineering. In its full-on, 485hp trim, the GSS/R is capable of 12-second quarters and 190-mph top speeds.
A typical Granatelli day at work. There's a phone in each ear, something to sign, and an administrative assistant with questions.
J.R. at age eight, showing that Granatelli blood does run deep.

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