Paul Russo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Paul Russo (born April 10, 1914 in Kenosha, Wisconsin – July 23, 1976 in Daytona Beach, Florida) was an American racecar driver.

1 Midget car career
2 Championship car career
3 Career award
4 Indy 500 results
5 World Championship career summary
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Midget car career

He started racing midget cars in 1934. He went with a contigent of midget car drivers to Hawaii in the winter of 1934-35. ^[1] He was the 1938 AAA Eastern Midget Champion. Russo won the first race held at the Nutley Velodrome in New Jersey in 1938. ^[1]

Russo was part of midget racing's "Chicago Gang" with Emil Andres, Tony Bettenhausen, Duke Nalon, Cowboy O'Rourke, Jimmy Snyder, and Wally Zale. ^[1]

[edit] Championship car career

He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1940-1941, 1946-1954, 1956-1959 and 1962 seasons with 85 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in each year but 1951 and 1952. He finished in the top ten 49 times, with 3 victories, at Springfield (1950), Detroit (1951), and Williams Grove (1952). His best finish at Indy was fourth in 1957, although he co-drove with Tony Bettenhausen to a second place finish in 1955. ^[1]

His brother Joe and nephew Eddie have also raced at the Indianapolis 500.

Russo died on February 13, 1976 while in Florida for the Daytona 500. ^[1]

[edit] Career award

Russo was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1992. ^[1]

[edit] Indy 500 results

Year	Car	Start	Qual	Rank	Finish	Laps	Led	Retired
1940	38	29	120.809	29	28	48	0	Oil leak
1941	45	18	125.217	5	9	200	0	Running
1946	10	2	126.183	4	33	16	0	Crash T3
1947	15	21	123.967	8	28	24	0	Crash FS
1948	25	25	122.595	29	32	7	0	Oil leak
1949	19	19	129.487	5	8	200	0	Running
1950	7	19	130.790	18	9	135	0	Running
1953	7	17	136.219	16	25	89	0	Magneto
1954	5	32	137.678	32	8	200	0	Running
1955*	10	-	-	-	2	?	?	Running
1956	29	8	143.546	10	33	21	11	Crash T1
1957	54	10	144.817	1	4	200	24	Running
1958	15	14	142.959	18	18	122	0	Radiator
1959	45	27	142.383	22	9	200	0	Running
1962	62	14	146.687	20	28	20	0	Piston
Totals						1482	35

Starts	14
Poles	0
Front Row	1
Wins	0
Top 5	1
Top 10	6
Retired	8

* shared drive with Tony Bettenhausen

[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. Paul Russo participated in 8 World Championship races. He set 1 fastest lead lap, finished on the podium once and accumulated a total of 8.5 World Championship points.