Al Keller

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Al Keller (April 11, 1920 Alexander, New York – November 19, 1961 Phoenix, Arizona) was an American racecar driver.

Keller participated in the NASCAR "Strictly Stock"/"Grand National" (predecessors to the current NEXTEL Cup) series from 1949 to 1956 with 29 career starts. He won two races during the 1954 season and was the first driver in the history of NASCAR's top division to have won a race in a foreign-built car, winning the 1954 Grand National road-race at the Linden Airport in New Jersey, driving a Jaguar owned by big band leader Paul Whiteman.

In 1954 Keller began a transition to champ cars. He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1954-1959 and 1961 seasons with 32 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in all but the first of those years. He finished in the top ten 13 times, with his best finish in 2nd position, in 1956 at Atlanta and in 1961 at Milwaukee. His best Indy finish was 5th in 1961.

Keller died as a result of injuries sustained in a champ car crash at the Arizona State Fairgrounds track.

[edit] Indy 500 results

Year	Car	Start	Qual	Rank	Finish	Laps	Retired
1955	42	22	139.551	17	27	54	Crash BS
1956	55	28	141.193	26	14	195	Flagged
1957	16	8	141.398	14	27	75	Crash T1
1958	52	21	142.931	19	11	200	Running
1959	57	28	142.057	27	18	163	Piston
1961	19	26	146.157	6	5	200	Running
Totals						887

Starts	6
Poles	0
Front Row	0
Wins	0
Top 5	1
Top 10	1
Retired	3

[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. Al Keller participated in 5 World Championship races but scored no World Championship points.