Tony Bettenhausen
Melvin E. "Tony" Bettenhausen (September 12, 1916 - May 12, 1961) was an American racing driver, who won the National Championship in 1951 and 1958.
Born in Tinley Park, Illinois, Bettenhausen was killed in a crash at Indianapolis while testing a car for Paul Russo. 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.
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.
Bettenhausen was the father of Gary Bettenhausen, Tony Bettenhausen, Jr. and Merle Bettenhausen.
Award
He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1997.
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 |
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 |