Bobby Ball (racing driver)

Bobby Ball
Born August 26, 1925
Phoenix, Arizona
Died February 27, 1954 (aged 28)
Phoenix, Arizona
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality United States American
Active years 19511952
Teams Schroeder, Stevens
Races 2
Championships 0
Wins 0
Podiums 0
Career points 2
Pole positions 0
Fastest laps 0
First race 1951 Indianapolis 500
Last race 1952 Indianapolis 500

Robert K. "Bobby" Ball (August 26, 1925, Phoenix, Arizona February 27, 1954, Phoenix, Arizona) was an American racecar driver.[1][2]

Early life

Ball's parents divorced when he was a year old. He was raised by his grandmother, who enrolled him in a military academy as a teenager in an attempt to take his mind off cars and motorcycles.[2]

Racing career

Ball began racing with the Arizona Roadster Association, subsequently switching from roadsters to midgets. He won the Arizona State Midget Association (ASMA) championship in 1949 and 1950. He finished fifth in the 1951 Indianapolis 500 and 32nd in the 1952 Indianapolis 500.[2]

Ball won the AAA Championship race at San Jose in November 1952. On January 4, 1953, he was involved in an accident at Carrell Speedway in Los Angeles which left him with terrible head injuries. He remained in a coma, first at the UCLA Medical Center and then at home in Phoenix, but died 14 months later of an infection.[2] For many years one of the two championship races held at Phoenix International Raceway was a memorial race dedicated to Ball.

Indy 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired
1951 52 29 134.098 9 5 200 0 Running
1952 55 17 134.725 23 32 34 0 Gear case
Totals 234 0
Starts 2
Poles 0
Front Row 0
Wins 0
Top 5 1
Top 10 1
Retired 1

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 WDC Points
1951 Blakely Oil Schroeder Offenhauser L4 SUI
500
5
BEL
FRA
GBR
GER
ITA
ESP
19th 2
1952 Ansted Rotary Stevens Offenhauser L4 SUI
500
32
BEL
FRA
GBR
GER
NED
ITA
NC 0

References

  1. Tom Todd (January 1, 2001). "Bobby Ball". Find a Grave. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Gates, Bob (March 2, 2010). "Bobby Ball Could Have Been One Of America's Greats". Turn 3 Media. Retrieved January 2, 2013.

External links

Records
Preceded by
Andy Linden
29 years, 54 days
(1950 Indianapolis 500)
Youngest Driver to score
Points in Formula One

25 years, 276 days
(1951 Indianapolis 500)
Succeeded by
Troy Ruttman
22 years, 80 days
(1952 Indianapolis 500)