Gary bettenhausen race driver

Gary bettenhausen 72, of monrovia, passed away peacefully at home on march 16, 2014. Gary bettenhausen finished 10th at indy, but was the big winner. Mar 16, 2014 gary bettenhausen was the perfect definition of a race car driver of his time, said president douglas j. Indianapolis ap officials with the indianapolis motor speedway say race car driver gary bettenhausen has died. Mar 16, 2014 bettenhausen was son of tony bettenhausen, a 14time 500 starter whose best finish was second in 1955, and brother of the late tony bettenhausen jr. Indy 500 great gary bettenhausen died the indianapolis star. Bettenhausen was a member of a famous racing family and a veteran of openwheel competition who drove in 21 indianapolis 500s between 1968 and 1993.

The eldest son of tony bettenhausen, gary was born to be a race driver coming into the world on november 18, 1941. Indianapolis 500 veteran gary bettenhausen passes away at 72. The bettenhausen name is synonymous with openwheel racing in america. Between them, gary and merle bettenhausen have two good arms. Gary bettenhausen, the oldest of the brothers, made his indy car debut at phoenix in 1966 and made the first of 21 starts at the indy 500 in 1968. The daytona originally had a aluminum front spoiler.

In the 1972 race, driving an eagleoffenhauser customized by the all american racers, grant took the lead when gary bettenhausen had to leave the race. His early racing experience was in midgets where he had twentyseven united states motor club wins. The race is remembered historically as a moment of firsts for the event. Gary bettenhausen was the perfect definition of a race car driver of his time, said president douglas j. The two men killed were identified as russ roberts, a partner in bettenhausens racing team, and larry rangel, an. Tony was happy that gary soon was going to make him a grandpa. Rex mays 300 usac champ car series riverside international raceway riverside, california december 1, 1968.

As it was, gary bettenhausen, who died suddenly sunday evening at the age of 72, made himself a winning race driver, a champion and a. Tony lee bettenhausen, 48, part of auto racing family. Gary bettenhausen, who auto racing legend mario andretti said was all that we loved about the people who did our business but who paid a. Driver gary bettenhausen career statistics racingreference. Feb 15, 2000 gary bettenhausen, the oldest of the brothers, made his indy car debut at phoenix in 1966 and made the first of 21 starts at the indy 500 in 1968. He lost the use of his left arm and ride with roger penske in the same 1974 accident but gary bettenhausen epitomized toughness and he came back from those setbacks to stay competitive for the. Top amazingly, bettenhausen passed his indy rookie test driving a dirt car in 1968. He went on to win two sprint car and two usac silver crown championships. View latest articles, news and information about what happened to gary bettenhausen, american race car driver, that died on sunday march 16th 2014at age 72. Contentsshow racing family his father was indianapolis 500 and sprint car legend tony bettenhausen, and his brother was former champ car team owner tony bettenhausen jr.

Indy 500 veteran gary bettenhausen dead at 72 youtube. New book recalls legacy of the racing bettenhausen family. Bettenhausen was a member of a famous racing family and a veteran of. Driver gary bettenhausen slammed on his brakes, leapt from his stillmoving car and raced to help an injured competitor.

Gary bettenhausen race results in the nascar winston cup series. In formula one cars he was national racing champion in 1951 and. Excellent condition but may have small scratches or marks all easily fixable with a graphics program not apparent in the small, lower resolution scans. No other race driver in any time or sphere had so many day of days as sir stirling craufurd moss, who died on sunday at the age view comments.

Gary bettenhausen stock car racing wiki fandom powered by. Melvin eugene tony bettenhausen september 12, 1916 may 12, 1961 was an american racing driver, who won the national championship in 1951 and 1958. Gary bettenhausen racing career profile driver database. Get the latest race results, news, videos, pictures, win record and more for gary bettenhausen on. He was born in blue island, illinois, raised in tinley park, illinois, graduated in the class of 1962 from bremen high school midlothian, illinois in midlothian, illinois and at the time of his death resided in monrovia, indiana. Gary bettenhausen gary clyde bettenhausen birthplace. Tony lee bettenhausen, 48, part of auto racing family the. Indianapolis 500 veteran gary bettenhausen passes away at. Bettenhausen is a member of the national midget auto racing hall of fame, international motorsports hall of fame and motorsports hall of fame of america.

Mar 19, 2014 gary bettenhausen 72, of monrovia, passed away peacefully at home on march 16, 2014. Born in chicago, il, he was the eldest son of melvin tony bettenhausen and valerie rice bettenhausen stephan and. Gary bettenhausen november 18, 1941 march 16, 2014 was an american auto racing driver. Gary will best be remembered by indianapolis motor speedway fans for the manner in which he carried the bettenhausen familys passion for. Nicknamed the tinley park express in honor of his hometown, he was a premier world class driver of midget cars and formula one cars. Gary bettenhausen, the eldest son of the famous american motor racing dynasty, has died aged 72.

Robin millers toughest drivers series gary bettenhausen indycar. As did his famous father tony who was killed during practice laps at indy in 1961, gary earned his stripes, first in the midget dirt racing ranks. The bettenhausen foundation october 24, 2019 todd and cary stand proudly with their dad, gary, in the pit lane at indianapolis on may 12, 1991, after he turned in the fastest qualifying run of the month. Race car driver gary bettenhausen, who died sunday, could have been an indy car legend, but he preferred driving anything and everything.

He was a member of a racing family consisting of father melvin tony bettenhausen, and brothers tony jr. Nascar former driver gary bettenhausen born november 18, 1941 is a retired american auto racing driver. Born in chicago, il, he was the eldest son of melvin tony bettenhausen and. Gary bettenhausen obituary gary bettenhausen funeral. Car owner lindsey hopkins, left, and driver gary bettenhausen share a moment after bettenhausen qualified for the indianapolis 500 mile race with. Race car driver gary bettenhausen, who died sunday, could have been an indycar legend, but he preferred driving anything and everything that was great in his era. Click on the number of races to see individual races for that year. Indy 500 great gary bettenhausen died indianapolis star.

He was nicknamed tunney after heavyweight boxing champion gene tunney. Gary bettenhausen, a legend of the terre haute action track, has died at age 72. Mar 17, 2014 as it was, gary bettenhausen, who died suddenly sunday evening at the age of 72, made himself a winning race driver, a champion and a pillar of perseverance. Gary bettenhausen was the perfect definition of a race car driver of his time, indianapolis motor speedway president j. Gary bettenhausen, the son of indianapolis 500 and sprint car legend tony bettenhausen, made 27 indycar starts and five nascar starts for team penske from 19721974. Gary bettenhausen bio, facts, family famous birthdays. Melvin eugene tony bettenhausen september 12, 1916 may 12, 1961 was an american racing driver, who won the national championship in 1951 and 1958 bettenhausen was nicknamed the tinley park express in honor of his hometown. Janet guthrie was the first woman to qualify and compete in the indianapolis 500. View career statistics for gary bettenhausen tweet.

Gary bettenhausen remembered by robin miller racer. Get the latest race results driver gary bettenhausen on. Gary bettenhausen made 21 indianapolis 500 starts between 1968 and 1993, with a best result of third in 1980. Gary bettenhausen race results and driver statistics for. Mar 17, 2014 car owner lindsey hopkins, left, and driver gary bettenhausen share a moment after bettenhausen qualified for the indianapolis 500 mile race with a speed of 190. As did his famous father tony who was killed during practice laps at indy in 1961, gary earned his stripes, first in the midget dirt racing ranks, moving into sprint cars, and finally to indy cars. Sep 20, 2016 the majority of the family members grew up on a 240acre farm that included having a dirt racetrack carved out of it for the bettenhausens including father tony and sons tony jr. Driver gary bettenhausen 1968 usac champ car series. Mar 17, 2014 indianapolis ap officials with the indianapolis motor speedway say race car driver gary bettenhausen has died. Gary bettenhausen 72, of monrovia, passed away peacefully at home on. Shirley bettenhausen was the daughter of longtime indy car driver jim mcelreath.

He was born in blue island, illinois, raised in tinley park, illinois. He nearly won the race 1972, leading 8 laps before suffering a late race mechanical failure. Click on the site to see gary bettenhausens career results at that track glossary. He raced successfully in many types of cars, on every type of track, and he. I didnt always agree with everything he did, but i never doubted he could do it, said merle bettenhausen of his older brother. A number of successful drivers passed through bettenhausens alumax car. He was inducted into the national sprint car hall of fame in 1993. The two men killed were identified as russ roberts, a partner in bettenhausen s racing team, and larry rangel, an. Mar 17, 2014 gary is the son of tony bettenhausen, a popular frontrunner in the 1950s who started in the indy 500 a total of 14 times.

Gary bettenhausen obituary il the indianapolis star. His brother, tony, is a former indycar driver and team owner. Gary bettenhausen the indiana racing legend home facebook. Tony bettenhausen, sr 19161961 find a grave memorial. Gary bettenhausen american race car driver dead at age 72. Gary bettenhausen stats, race results, wins, news, record.

Above kidding around with aj foyt and larry dickson, with whom gary dominated usac sprint cars from 68 through 71. Gary bettenhausen get caught up the accident when he ran into andrettis. Gary bettenhausen was the perfect definition of a race car driver of his time. Team penske news throwback thursday gary bettenhausen. It was after that injury that the schmuck he kinda liked that nickname really became a hero to a lot of us.

Mar 17, 2014 gary bettenhausen was the perfect definition of a race car driver of his time, indianapolis motor speedway president j. Besides racing tony bettenhausen loved his family and his 60acre farm in tinley park il. The majority of the family members grew up on a 240acre farm that included having a dirt racetrack carved out of it for the bettenhausens including father tony and sons tony jr. A wheel came off the right rear of jeff andretti car causing him spin 360 degrees hitting the wall violently headon.

As it was, gary bettenhausen, who died suddenly sunday evening at the age of 72, made himself a winning race driver, a champion and a pillar of perseverance. Feb 14, 2000 shirley bettenhausen was the daughter of longtime indy car driver jim mcelreath. Click on the site to see gary bettenhausens career results at that track. Bettenhausen was son of tony bettenhausen, a 14time 500 starter whose best finish was second in 1955, and brother of the late tony bettenhausen. The versatile race car driver competed on an array of tracks, from the indianapolis motor speedway to dirt tracks. He was the son of former 14time indianapolis 500 competitor tony bettenhausen and the brother of 21time indy racer gary bettenhausen. Racing career midgets he began as a midget car driver. Gary is the son of tony bettenhausen, a popular frontrunner in the 1950s who started in the indy 500 a total of 14 times.

A prosthesis extends from merles right sleeve, replacing the arm he left at michigan international speedway in his first indy car race. Robin millers toughest drivers series gary bettenhausen. Born into a racing family, gary was one of three sons sired by indy 500 and sprint car racer tony. Click on the year to see the standings for that year. Bettenhausen was a member of a famous racing family and a veteran of openwheel competition who drove in 21 indianapolis. Indianapolis 500 veteran gary bettenhausen has died at the age of 72, indianapolis motor speedway officials confirmed. Bettenhausen was nicknamed the tinley park express in honor of his hometown.

October 30, 1951 february 14, 2000 was a champ car team owner and driver who died in a 2000 plane crash. May 25, 2009 a wheel came off the right rear of jeff andretti car causing him spin 360 degrees hitting the wall violently headon. Gary bettenhausen finished 10th at indy, but was the big. He won the midget track us championships in 1941, 1942, 1946 and 1947, plus the 1959 turkey grand prix. Gary bettenhausen stock car racing wiki fandom powered.