Don Branson

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Don Branson (June 2, 1920 - November 12, 1966) was an American racecar driver.

Born in Rantoul, Illinois, Branson was killed in a racing crash at Ascot Park in Gardena, California. He drove in the USAC Championship Car series and also in sprint cars, racing champ cars in the 1956-1966 seasons with 129 starts, including the 1959-1966 Indianapolis 500 races. He finished in the top ten 85 times, with 7 victories.

Branson was also the 1959 and 1965 USAC Sprint Car Series Champion.

[edit] Indy 500 results

Year	Car	Start	Qual	Rank	Finish	Laps	Retired
1959	9	10	143.312	12	24	112	Torsion bar
1960	7	8	144.753	11	4	200	Running
1961	3	2	146.843	3	33	2	Bent Valves
1962	14	11	147.312	11	12	200	Running
1963	4	3	150.188	4	5	200	Running
1964	5	9	152.672	12	12	187	Clutch
1965	4	18	155.501	16	8	197	Flagged
1966	4	9	160.385	12	23	0	Crash FS
Totals						1098

Starts	8
Poles	0
Front Row	2
Wins	0
Top 5	2
Top 10	3
Retired	4

[edit] World Championship career summary

The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Don Branson participated in 2 World Championship races. He started on the pole 0 times, won 0 races, set 0 fastest laps, and finished on the podium 0 times. He accumulated a total of 3 championship points.