Tony Bettenhausen

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Melvin E. "Tony" Bettenhausen (September 12, 1916 Tinley Park, Illinois – May 12, 1961 Indianapolis, Indiana) was an American racing driver, who won the National Championship in 1951 and 1958. He is a member of numerous Halls of Fame.

Bettenhausen 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.

1 Racing career
- 1.1 Midget cars
- 1.2 Indy cars
2 Indy 500 results
3 F1 career summary
4 Racing family
5 Awards
6 References

[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.

[edit] Indy 500 results

Year	Car	Start	Qual	Rank	Finish	Laps	Led	Retired
1946	42	26	123.094	13	20	47	0	Rod
1947	29	25	120.980	17	18	79	0	Timing gear
1948	6	22	126.396	10	14	167	0	Clutch
1950	14	8	130.947	16	31	30	0	Wheel bearing
1951	5	9	131.950	30	9	178	0	Spun T4
1952	27	30	135.384	17	24	93	0	Stalled
1953	98	6	136.024	20	9	196	0	Crash T3
1954	10	21	138.275	19	29	105	0	Bearing
1955	10	2	139.985	13	2	200	0	Running
1956	99	5	144.602	5	22	160	0	Crash T1
1957	27	22	142.439	9	15	195	0	Flagged
1958	33	9	143.919	10	4	200	24	Running
1959	1	15	142.721	18	4	200	0	Running
1960	2	18	145.214	9	23	125	0	Rod
Totals						1975	24

Starts	14
Poles	0
Front Row	1
Wins	0
Top 5	3
Top 10	5
Retired	10

[edit] F1 career summary

The Indianapolis 500 was considered part of the Formula One schedule from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with F1 points and participation. Tony Bettenhausen participated in 11 Formula One races. He started on the pole 0 times, won 0 races, set 0 fast laps, and finished on the podium 1 times. He accumlated a total of 12 championship points.