Bobby Ball (racing driver)
.jpg) | |
| Born |
August 26, 1925 Phoenix, Arizona |
|---|---|
| Died |
February 27, 1954 (aged 28) Phoenix, Arizona |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |
 American |
| Active years | 1951–1952 |
| 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
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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
- ↑ Tom Todd (January 1, 2001). "Bobby Ball". Find a Grave. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
- ↑ 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
- Bobby Ball at Find-A-Grave
| 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) |