MILLER: Dan Gurney's 85th birthday bash

Dario Franchitti flew all day and night from Scotland to be there. Danny Sullivan got up early and drove in from Pebble Beach. George Follmer represented the old guard and Bobby Rahal represented the Baby Boomers. Toddy Ruttman cried, legendary journos Pete Lyons and Pete Biro took photos and Bobby Unser rang up his old boss.

Dan Gurney turned 85 on Wednesday and about 100 of his friends and former employees showed up at All-American Racers to honor The Big Eagle.

"It was wonderful to see so many people turn up and I think it shows what Dan means to all of us," said Franchitti, who went Edinburgh-London-LAX, ran through customs and averaged 105mph on Interstate 405 to make the 1:30 p.m. party. "You know me, any chance I get to spend with Dan I take it but the fact it was his birthday made it even better."

Rahal grew up following Gurney's adventures in Formula 1 and still marvels at his accomplishments.

"Dan and Jim Clark were my heroes growing up and I was always so impressed with his spirit and doing things his way, trying to gain an advantage," said the three-time CART champion. "He was an American in Europe who became a big fish in a big pond and I have nothing but respect and admiration for him."

It wasn't a surprise party, per se, because Dan knew there was going to be cake and all that. But son Justin Gurney knocked him over when a restored 1967 Eagle was rolled out along with the Vollstedt car driven by Clark at Riverside in '67.

"I've got great kids and that was a great memory," said Gurney referring to his duel with Clark that day and overcoming a 23-second deficit to Uncle Bobby to win. "I was leading, made a mistake and Jimmy got by but then his engine gave up because they used too much nitro.

"Then I ran down Bobby (Unser) and passed him on the last lap. It was the first race Ozzie Olson sponsored me so it was pretty good timing."

Sitting with his lovely wife, Evi, and surrounded by sons Alex, Chuck, Justin and several grandchildren, The Big Eagle greeted his guests which included former Eagle designers Roman Slobodyjnski, John Ward and Trevor Harris, IndyCar boss Mark Miles, Long Beach founder Chris Pook, J.C. Agajanian Jr., actor turned writer Tim Considine, racer Pete Brock and a few of his old AAR crew members.

Toddy Ruttman was a bundle of emotions. "I tried not to cry but I couldn't help it because Gurn and my dad were such good friends and Dan grew up idolizing him," said the daughter of 1952 Indy 500 winner Troy. "He's just such a great man and such a hero."

Gurney for President decals were passed out along with small bottles of champagne to celebrate Dan's famous spray at Le Mans in 1967 after winning the 24 hours with co-driver A.J. Foyt.

"He won in everything, built his own cars and forged his own path in a lethal decade of racing," said Rahal. "To me he is Captain America."

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