Gary Bettenhausen[1] (November 18, 1941 – March 16, 2014) was an American midget car driver. He was the winner the 1967 and 1970 Turkey Night Grand Prix, the 1972 Astro Grand Prix, and the 1976 Hut Hundred.

Gary Bettenhausen
Bettenhausen in 1984
NationalityUnited States American
BornGary Clyde Bettenhausen
(1941-11-18)November 18, 1941
Blue Island, Illinois, U.S.
DiedMarch 16, 2014(2014-03-16) (aged 72)
Monrovia, Indiana, U.S.
Champ Car career
188 races run over 30 years
Years active1966–1994, 1996
Best finish5th – 1979
First race1966 Bobby Ball Memorial (Phoenix)
Last race1996 U.S. 500 (Michigan)
First win1968 Bobby Ball Memorial (Phoenix)
Last win1983 Ted Horn Memorial (DuQuoin)
Wins Podiums Poles
6 24 4
NASCAR Cup Series career
8 races run over 2 years
First race1967 Daytona 500 (Daytona)
Last race1974 Motor State 360 (Michigan)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 4 0

Personal life

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Bettenhausen was born in Blue Island, Illinois, raised in Tinley Park, Illinois, he graduated in 1962 from Bremen High School in Midlothian, Illinois.

Bettenhausen's father was Indianapolis 500 and sprint car legend Tony Bettenhausen. His brother was former CART driver and team owner Tony. Another brother, Merle, lost his arm in a fiery crash.

He married his wife Wavelyn on January 4, 1964, and the family had three children, Gary Jr., and twin sons Cary and Todd. They had two grandchildren. Cary and Todd run a medical products company in Indiana and have numerous patents. In addition, Todd is a well-known eSports gamer involved in motorsport simulation equipment. According to Indianapolis 500 radio broadcaster Mark Jaynes, the twins attended Monrovia High School with him and current Team Penske crew chief Kyle Moyer. graduating together in 1982.

Bettenhausen died on March 16, 2014, in Monrovia, Indiana.[2]

Racing career

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Midgets

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Bettenhausen began as a midget car driver. He finished third in the midget car national points in 1967.[3] He won the first leg of the Astro Grand Prix in 1969, which was held in the Astrodome. He won the 1967 and 1970 Turkey Night Grand Prix, the 1972 Astro Grand Prix, and the 1976 Hut Hundred, on his way to a total of 27 career wins in USAC midget car competition.

Sprint cars

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Bettenhausen won the 1969 and 1971 sprint car championships.[3]

He won the 1980 and 1983 USAC Dirt Track champions in a Silver Crown car.[3]

A crash at a Championship Dirt Car race (AKA Silver Crown Car) in Syracuse, New York on July 4, 1974, crushed his left arm and left it paralyzed. He regained enough mobility to drive but never fully recovered from the injury.

 
Bettenhausen racing in CART at Pocono Raceway in 1984

Indy/Championship Cars & Indianapolis 500

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Bettenhausen qualifying for the 1987 Indianapolis 500

Bettenhausen competed in Champ/Indy style cars from the mid-1960s until 1996. During this time he won six USAC Indy Car races. He made 21 starts in the Indianapolis 500, contesting each event from 1968 until 1982 (with the exception of 1979 when he failed to qualify), and again from 1986 to 1993.[3] His best finish came in 1980 when he finished third after starting 32nd in the 33-car field.

In the 1972 Indianapolis 500, Bettenhausen led 138 laps (of 200), and appeared on his way to victory. But he suffered a blown engine with only 24 laps remaining, and dropped out to finish 14th.

In the 1991 Indianapolis 500, Bettenhausen was the fastest qualifier at 224.468 mph. As his time was recorded on the second day of qualifying, Rick Mears, who had qualified slower (224.113 mph), started on the pole position.

NASCAR

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Bettenhausen competed in eight career NASCAR Winston Cup events.[4] He had four Top 10 finishes. His highest career finish was a fourth-place finish at the 1974 Motor State 360 at the Michigan International Speedway.[4]

Awards

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Motorsports career results

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American open-wheel racing

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

USAC Championship Car

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USAC Championship Car results
Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Pos. Pts
1966 American Eagle Racing Meskowski 59 D Offenhauser PHX
DNQ
TRE
DNQ
INDY IRP
DNQ
LAN
DNQ
ISF
DNQ
DSF
DNQ
INF TRE
DNQ
SAC
DNQ
NC 0
Halibrand Shrike 65 MIL
DNQ
LAN
DNQ
ATL
DNQ
PPR MIL
DNQ
Clyde Lynch PHX
19
1967 American Eagle Racing Meskowski 59 D Offenhauser PHX TRE INDY MIL LAN PPR MOS MOS IRP LAN MTR MTR ISF MIL DSF INF
DNQ
TRE 47th 60
Joe Hunt Lesovsky 58 D SAC
11
HAN
11
PHX
19
RSD
DNQ
1968 Joe Hunt Lesovsky 58 D Offenhauser HAN
10
LVS
10
PHX
13
TRE 8th 1595
Don Gerhardt Gerhardt Offy 159 ci t INDY
24
MIL LAN
3
PPR LAN
13
LAN
12
MIL
5
TRE
12
MCH
21
HAN
21
PHX
1
Don Gerhardt Ford 255 ci V8 MOS
10
MOS
13
CDR
7
IRP
21
IRP
12
MTR
13
MTR
13
RSD
19
Ward D Offenhauser NAZ
4
ISF
13
DSF
4
INF
4
SAC
2
1969 Fred Gerhardt Gerhardt 68 Offy 159 ci t PHX
20
HAN
10
LAN
6
PPR CDR TRE
16
14th 970
Gerhardt 69 INDY
26
MIL
21
IRP
DNQ
IRP MIL
13
DOV
5
TRE
19
PHX
20
Ward D Offenhauser NAZ
2
ISF
6
DSF
10
INF
2
BRN BRN SAC
2
SIR SIR
Gerhardt 69 Chevrolet 320 ci V8 RSD
DNQ
1970 Fred Gerhardt Gerhardt 69 Offy 159 ci t PHX
17
TRE
12
17th 710
Chevrolet 320 ci V8 SON
21
Gerhardt 70 Offy 159 ci t INDY
26
MIL
9
LAN
5
CDR MCH
1
IRP
22
MIL
17
ONT
19
TRE
DNQ
PHX
19
Ward D Ford ISF
20
Offenhauser DSF
9
INF
DNQ
SED
16
Edmunds 68 D Offy 159 ci t SAC
9
1971 Fred Gerhardt Gerhardt 70 Offy 159 ci t RAF
11
RAF
7
PHX
20
TRE
16
INDY
10
MIL
16
POC
6
MCH
22
MIL
3
ONT
3
TRE
24
PHX
5
7th 1800
1972 Roger Penske Enterprises McLaren M16A Offy 159 ci t PHX
4
TRE
1
MIL
3
12th 790
McLaren M16B INDY
14
MCH
24
POC
19
MIL
DNS
ONT TRE PHX
1973 Penske Racing McLaren M16B Offy 159 ci t TWS
2
TRE
6
TRE
17
8th 2093
McLaren M16C INDY
5
MIL
3
POC
27
MCH
24
MIL
20
ONT ONT
2
ONT
19
MCH
2
MCH
8
TRE
24
TWS
1
Eagle 72 PHX
6
1974 Penske Racing McLaren M16C Offy 159 ci t ONT ONT
11
ONT
20
TRE
DNS
INDY
32
MIL
2
POC
31
MCH MIL MCH TRE TRE PHX 22nd 260
Eagle 72 PHX
14
1975 Don Gerhardt Eagle 72 Offy 159 ci t ONT
11
ONT ONT
14
PHX
10
TRE INDY
15
MIL
9
POC
5
MCH MIL MCH TRE PHX
6
14th 745
1976 Don Gerhardt Eagle 72 Offy 159 ci t PHX
DNS
TRE INDY
28
MIL
DNQ
POC
33
MCH TWS TRE MIL NC 0
Joe Hunt Eagle 73 ONT
27
MCH TWS PHX
1977 Joe Hunt Eagle 73 Offy 159 ci t ONT
10
PHX
11
TWS 14th 850
J. C. Agajanian Dragon 76 TRE
11
INDY
16
MIL
20
POC
7
MOS
2
MCH
17
TWS ONT
17
MCH PHX
14
Kingfish 73 MIL
8
1978 J. C. Agajanian Dragon 76 Offy 159 ci t PHX
21
ONT
12
TWS TRE
19
INDY
16
MOS
6
MIL
DNQ
POC
29
MCH ATL TWS MIL
22
ONT MCH TRE
9
SIL BRH PHX
21
29th 294
1979 Armstrong Mould Wildcat Mk 2 DGS 158 ci t ONT
18
TWS
2
TWS
5
MIL
6
5th 1008
J. C. Agajanian Kingfish 73 Chevrolet V8t INDY
DNQ
MIL
6
POC
9
1980 Armstrong Mould Wildcat Mk 2 DGS 158 ci t ONT INDY
3
MIL
12
POC
33
MDO
20
8th 726
1981-82 Lindsey Hopkins Racing Lightning 80 Cosworth DFX V8t INDY
26
INDY
12
18th 366
Vollstedt Enterprises Vollstedt 73 Offy 159 ci t POC
27
ISF
20
DSF
18
INF
3
1982-83 King Chevrolet ISF DSF
1
NAZ
24
8th 406
H & R Racing Lightning 80 Chevrolet V6t INDY
DNQ
1983-84 DSF
1
6th 400
H & R Racing March 84C Cosworth DFX V8t INDY
DNQ

PPG Indy Car World Series

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PPG Indy Car World Series results
Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Pos. Pts Ref
1979 J. C. Agajanian Kingfish 73 Chevrolet V8t PHX ATL ATL INDY
DNQ
TRE TRE MCH MCH WGL TRE ONT MCH ATL PHX NA - [5]
1980 Armstrong Mould Wildcat Mk 2 DGS 158 ci t ONT INDY
3
MIL
12
POC
33
MDO
20
MCH
9
WGL
11
MIL
DNQ
ONT
31
MCH
19
MEX 9th 1057 [6]
Orbitor 80C Cosworth DFX V8t PHX
3
1981 Rhoades Racing Wildcat Mk 8 Cosworth DFX V8t PHX MIL ATL ATL MCH
6
RIV MIL
19
MCH WGL MEX PHX 15th 42 [7]
1982 Gohr Racing Penske PC7 Chevrolet 355 ci V8 PHX ATL MIL CLE MCH
6
POC
8
RIV
DNQ
ROA
20
MCH
17
15th 48 [8]
Bettenhausen Racing March 82C Cosworth DFX V8t MIL
13
PHX
9
1983 H & R Racing Lightning 80 Chevrolet V6t ATL INDY
DNQ
34th 1 [9]
Spirit 83 Chevrolet 355 ci V8 MIL
22
CLE MCH ROA POC
27
RIV MDO
DNS
MCH CPL LAG
Bettenhausen Racing March 82C Cosworth DFX V8t PHX
12
1984 H & R Racing March 84C Cosworth DFX V8t LBH PHX INDY
DNQ
MIL
15
POR
13
MEA MCH
23
ROA
DNQ
POC
10
MDO SAN 37th 1 [10]
Pabst Racing March 83C CLE
DNQ
BC Pace Racing MCH
DNQ
PHX
DNQ
LAG CPL
1985 Leader Card Racers March 85C Cosworth DFX V8t LBH INDY MIL POR MEA CLE MCH ROA POC MDO SAN
22
MCH
DNS
LAG PHX
16
MIA NC 0 [11]
1986 Leader Card Racers March 85C Cosworth DFX V8t PHX
21
LBH MCH
20
ROA LAG 32nd 2 [12]
March 86C INDY
11
MIL
23
POR MEA CLE TOR MCH
26
POC
13
MDO SAN
21
PHX
19
MIA
1987 Gohr Racing March 86C Cosworth DFX V8t LBH PHX
16
INDY
5
MIL
15
POR MEA CLE TOR MCH
13
POC
13
ROA MDO NAZ LAG MIA 24th 10 [13]
1988 Scheid Tire Centers March 87C Cosworth DFX V8t PHX LBH INDY
DNQ
MIL POR CLE TOR MEA MCH POC MDO ROA NAZ LAG MIA NA - [14]
1989 Mann Motorsports Lola T87/00 Buick 3300 V6t PHX LBH INDY
33
MIL DET POR CLE MEA TOR MCH POC MDO ROA NAZ LAG NC 0 [15]
1990 Team Menard Lola T89/00 Buick 3300 V6t PHX LBH INDY
31
MIL DET POR CLE MEA TOR MCH DEN VAN MDO ROA NAZ LAG NC 0 [16]
1991 Team Menard Lola T91/00 Buick 3300 V6t SRF LBH PHX INDY
22
MIL DET POR CLE MEA TOR MCH DEN VAN MDO ROA NAZ LAG 29th 1 [17]
1992 Team Menard Lola T92/00 Buick 3300 V6t SRF PHX LBH INDY
17
DET POR MIL NHA TOR MCH CLE ROA VAN MDO NAZ LAG NC 0 [18]
1993 Team Menard Lola T93/00 Menard V6t SRF PHX LBH INDY
17
MIL DET POR CLE TOR MCH NHA ROA VAN MDO NAZ LAG NC 0 [19]
1994 Bettenhausen Motorsports Penske PC-22 Ilmor 265C V8t SRF PHX LBH INDY
DNQ
MIL DET POR CLE TOR MCH MDO NHA VAN ROA NAZ LAG NA - [20]
1996 Bettenhausen Motorsports Penske PC-23 Mercedes-Benz IC108B V8t MIA RIO SRF LBH NAZ 500
21
MIL DET POR CLE TOR MCH MDO ROA VAN LAG NC 0 [21]
Indianapolis 500
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Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team
1968 Gerhardt Offenhauser 22 24 Don Gerhardt
1969 Gerhardt Offenhauser 9 26 Fred Gerhardt
1970 Gerhardt Offenhauser 20 26 Fred Gerhardt
1971 Gerhardt Offenhauser 13 10 Fred Gerhardt
1972 McLaren Offenhauser 4 14 Roger Penske Enterprises
1973 McLaren Offenhauser 5 5 Penske Racing
1974 McLaren Offenhauser 11 32 Penske Racing
1975 Eagle Offenhauser 19 15 Don Gerhardt
1976 Eagle Offenhauser 8 28 Don Gerhardt
1977 Dragon Offenhauser 21 16 J. C. Agajanian
1978 Dragon Offenhauser 31 16 J. C. Agajanian
1979 Wildcat DGS DNQ J. C. Agajanian
1980 Wildcat DGS 32 3 Armstrong Mould
1981 Lightning Cosworth 11 26 Lindsey Hopkins Racing
1982 Lightning Cosworth 30 12 Lindsey Hopkins Racing
1983 Lightning Chevrolet DNQ H & R Racing
1984 March Cosworth DNQ H & R Racing
1986 March Cosworth 29 11 Leader Card Racers
1987 March Cosworth 15 5 Gohr Racing
1988 March Cosworth DNQ Scheid Tire Centers
1989 Lola Buick 14 33 Mann Motorsports
1990 Lola Buick 18 31 Team Menard
1991 Lola Buick 13 22 Team Menard
1992 Lola Buick 5 17 Team Menard
1993 Lola Menard 18 17 Team Menard
1994 Penske Ilmor DNQ Bettenhausen Motorsports

NASCAR

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Grand National Series

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NASCAR Grand National Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 NGNC Pts Ref
1967 Ranier Racing 68 Ford AUG RSD DAY
10
DAY DAY
31
AWS BRI GPS BGS ATL CLB HCY NWS MAR SVH RCH DAR BLV LGY CLT ASH MGR SMR BIR CAR GPS MGY DAY
33
TRN OXF FDA ISP BRI SMR NSV ATL BGS CLB SVH DAR HCY RCH BLV HBO MAR NWS CLT CAR AWS NA 0 [22]

Winston Cup Series

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NASCAR Winston Cup Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 NWCC Pts Ref
1974 Penske Racing 16 AMC RSD
7
DAY
12
RCH CAR BRI ATL
9
DAR NWS MAR TAL
37
NSV DOV CLT RSD MCH
4
DAY BRI NSV ATL POC TAL MCH DAR RCH DOV NWS MAR CLT CAR ONT 43rd 49 [23]
1994 Barkdoll Racing 60 Chevy DAY CAR RCH ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL SON CLT DOV POC MCH DAY NHA POC TAL IND
DNQ
GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO ATL NA - [24]
Daytona 500
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Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish
1967 Ranier Racing Ford 21 31
1974 Penske Racing AMC 34 12

References

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  1. ^ "Gary Bettenhausen". www.champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  2. ^ Cavin, Curt (March 17, 2014). "Former Indy 500 driver Gary Bettenhausen dies at 72". USA Today. McLean, VA. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Gary Bettenhausen". Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2006-09-23. Biography at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame
  4. ^ a b http://racing-reference.info/driver?id=bettega01 Biography at racing-reference.info
  5. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1979 USAC Champ Car Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  6. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1980 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  7. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1981 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  8. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1982 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  9. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1983 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  10. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1984 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  11. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1985 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  12. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1986 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  13. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1987 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  14. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1988 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  15. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1989 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  16. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1990 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  17. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1991 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  18. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1992 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  19. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1993 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  20. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1994 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  21. ^ "Gary Bettenhousen – 1996 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  22. ^ "Gary Bettenhausen – 1967 NASCAR Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  23. ^ "Gary Bettenhausen – 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  24. ^ "Gary Bettenhausen – 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
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