Jim McElreath

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jim McElreath (born February 18, 1928, Arlington, Texas), is a former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series.

Contents

[edit] Racing career

He raced in the 1961-1983 seasons, with 178 combined career starts, including 15 in the Indianapolis 500 in 1962-1970, 1973-1974, and 1977-1980. He finished in the top ten 101 times, with five victories. In 1962, he was named Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, a result of his 6th place finish.

[edit] Award

McElreath was a 2002 inductee to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.

[edit] Personal life

Jim's son, James Jr., was killed in a sprint car crash in 1977. Jim's daughter, Shirley, married Tony Bettenhausen, Jr., with whom she died when their private plane crashed in Kentucky in February, 2000.

[edit] Indy 500 results

Year Chassis Engine Start Finish
1962 Kurtis Kraft Offy 7th 6th
1963 Watson Offy 6th 6th
1964 Kurtis Kraft Novi 26th 21st
1965 Brabham Offy 16th 20th
1966 Brabham Ford 7th 3rd
1967 Moore Ford 11th 5th
1968 Coyote Ford 13th 14th
1969 Brawner Hawk Offy 7th 28th
1970 Coyote Ford 33rd 5th
1971 Coyote Ford Did Not Qualify
1972 Coyote Foyt Did Not Qualify
1973 Eagle Offy 33rd 23rd
1974 Eagle Offy 30th 6th
1976 Eagle Offy Did Not Qualify
1977 Eagle AMC 20th 23rd
1978 Eagle Offy 26th 20th
1979 Penske Cosworth 19th 35th
1980 Penske Cosworth 11th 24th
1981 Penske Cosworth Sold Car
1982 King Chevrolet Did Not Qualify