Tony Bettenhausen
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Melvin E. "Tony" Bettenhausen (September 12, 1916 - May 12, 1961) was an American racing driver, who won the National Championship in 1951 and 1958. He is a member of numerous Halls of Fame.
He was born in Tinley Park, Illinois. He was nicknamed the "Tinley Park Express" in honor of his hometown. [1] He was nicknamed "Tunney" after heavyweight boxing champion Gene Tunney. "Tunney" later became "Tony." [2]
Bettenhausen was part of the "Chicago Gang" with Duke Nalon. They toured tracks in the Midwest and East Coast of the United States.
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[edit] Racing career
[edit] Midget cars
He won the track championship at the Milwaukee Mile in 1942, 1946, and 1947. He was the Chicago Raceway Park champion in 1941, 1942, and 1947.
He won the 1959 Turkey Night Classic, and the Hut Hundred in 1955 and 1956.
[edit] Indy cars
He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1941 and 1946-1961 seasons with 121 starts, including 14 in the Indianapolis 500. He finished in the top ten 74 times, with 21 victories.
He won the National Championship in 1951 after recording eight victories and two second place finishes in fourteen events. He announced his retirement from all racing but the Indianapolis 500 after the season. [2] He decided to return full-time for the 1954 season. He was involved in a midget car wreck in Chicago. He suffered head injuries after striking a concrete wall. He was in critical condition for several days. [2]
In 1958 he became the only driver to win the national championship without a win. [2] He was assured the title with a second place finish at Phoenix. He finished second in the national championship to Rodger Ward in 1959.
Bettenhausen was killed in 1961 in a crash at Indianapolis while testing a car for Paul Russo.
As the Indianapolis 500 counted as a round of the Formula One World championship from 1950 to 1960 his career is credited with participation in 11 grands prix, with 1 podium and 10 championship points scored.
[edit] Racing family
Bettenhausen was the father of Gary Bettenhausen, Tony Bettenhausen, Jr. and Merle Bettenhausen.
[edit] Awards
- He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1985.
- He was inducted in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1991.
- He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1997.
[edit] AAA Indy 500 results
| Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Wetteroth | Miller | 26th | 20th |
| 1947 | Stevens | Offy | 25th | 18th |
| 1948 | Stevens | Offy | 22nd | 14th |
| 1949 | Alfa Romeo | Alfa Romeo | Failed to Qualify |
[edit] Formula One Indy 500 results
| Season | Driver# | Team | Grid | Classification | Points | Note | Race Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 14 | Deidt-Offenhauser | 8 | SHR | 1 | Wheel Bearing | Report |
| 1951 | 5 | Deidt-Offenhauser | 9 | Ret | Spun Off | Report | |
| 1952 | 27 | Deidt-Offenhauser | 30 | Ret | Oil Pressure | Report | |
| 1953 | 98 | Kuzma-Offenhauser | 6 | 9 | Accident | Report | |
| 1954 | 10 | Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 21 | Ret | Wheel Bearing | Report | |
| 1955 | 10 | Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 2 | 2 *PODIUM* | 3 | Report | |
| 1956 | 99 | Kurtis Kraft-Offenhauser | 5 | Ret | Accident | Report | |
| 1957 | 27 | Kurtis Kraft-Novi | 22 | 15 | Report | ||
| 1958 | 33 | Epperly-Offenhauser | 9 | 4 | 3 | Report | |
| 1959 | 1 | Epperly-Offenhauser | 15 | 4 | 3 | Report | |
| 1960 | 2 | Watson-Offenhauser | 18 | Ret | Engine | Report |
