John Mahler

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John Mahler (born November 16, 1936, Alpha, Iowa), is a former open wheel race car driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1970-1973 and 1976-1981 seasons, with 39 combined career starts, including the 1972 and 1977-1979 Indianapolis 500. He finished in the top ten 6 times, with his best finish in 6th position in 1970 at the Indianapolis Raceway Park road course.

Qualified for the 1971 Indianapolis 500 but was replaced by his teammate who did not qualify, Dick Simon, due to sponorship commitments. John did not come away empty handed as the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association bestowed upon him its Jigger Award for the driver with the most hard luck. He was the fastest qualifying "rookie" in 1972 despite qualifying the year prior and a member of the 1977 and 1979 Last Row Party for earning a position in the 11th and final row of the starting grid.

John currently owns and operates Classic Concrete Designs in Kansas City, Missouri.

[edit] Indy 500 results

Year	Chassis	Engine	Start	Finish
1971	Vollstedt	Ford	Raced by Dick Simon
1972	McLaren	Offy	29th	22nd
1973	Eagle	Offy	Failed to Qualify
1974	Eagle	Offy	Failed to Qualify
1976	Eagle	Offy	Failed to Qualify
1977	Eagle	Offy	31st	14th
1978	Eagle	Offy	17th	26th
1979	Eagle	Offy	32nd	25th
1980	Finley	Offy	Failed to Qualify
1981	Penske	Offy	Failed to Qualify
1982	Penske	Offy	Qualifying Crash
1983	Lion	Chevrolet	Failed to Qualify