Dale Whittington

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Dale Whittington (September 23, 1959 - June 14, 2003), was an American racecar driver.

Born in Orlando, Florida as the youngest of the three Whittington brothers. All three are sons of Dick Whittington, '50's race car owner. ^[1] ^[2].

Despite having little oval experience,^[1] Whittington raced in the 1982 Indianapolis 500, joining his brothers Bill and Don to become the only trio of siblings to qualify for the same race at Indy where he qualified 23rd, on the eighth row.^[1] Dale's race was to be a short lived experience when on the front row during the final pace lap, just before the green flag dropped , Kevin Cogan struck Mario Andretti, as the field slowed to avoid the carnage, Whittington took this as an opportunity to pass and consequently rammed into Roger Mears, a sixth row starter, all four drivers were eliminated from the race.^[1] After the race, word was that Andretti went to Dale and Bill and threatened to expose the pair in regards to their drug smuggling activities if they do not keep Dale away from the race again. Dale never returned to Indy. Like the two other brothers, Dale was also involved in the 1980s IMSA drug scandal (nicknamed International Marijuana Smugglers' Association) which involved smuggling of marijuana and also included 1982 IMSA champion John Paul, Jr. and his father John Paul, Sr., as well as 1984 champion Randy Lanier.^[3]. Dale was the only one of the lot to avoid prison.

After that, Whittington transitioned to endurance racing, competing in the ALMS series, as well as competing at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1999 and 2000 and in Grand-Am in 2001 often racing with his brother, Don. ^[1]

During his final years Dale was working at World Jet owned by his brother Don Whittington at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport(FXE). His death came on June 14 2003 and was found by his son (R.D. Whittington) on Fathers day at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Coroners report from Broward County, Florida reported cause of death : Drug overdose.