Carroll Shelby began his journey as a modest chicken farmer in rural Texas before making a remarkable entrance into the world of auto racing. He quickly rose to prominence by defeating the top drivers of his time and clinching victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959, all while still clad in his farming attire. Despite a serious heart condition that nearly ended his life and forced him to step away from racing, Shelby founded Shelby American. He gathered a diverse group of hot-rodding enthusiasts to bring his vision of innovative sports cars, like the Shelby Cobra, to life. Under his leadership, Ford and the GT40 achieved multiple triumphs at Le Mans, outpacing Ferrari. The legendary drivers who piloted Shelby’s cars helped solidify his enduring legacy. Notably, Shelby remains the only individual to have won Le Mans both as a driver and a manufacturer, and he is still the sole American car manufacturer to have claimed the World Manufacturing Championship.