Letterio Mario Cucinotta[1] (27 March 1902 – 9 October 1987) was an Italian racing driver who participated in the 1930 Indianapolis 500.

Letterio Cucinotta
BornLetterio Mario Cucinotta
(1902-03-27)27 March 1902
Pace del Mela, Sicily, Italy
Died9 October 1987(1987-10-09) (aged 85)
Messina, Sicily, Italy
Champ Car career
1 race run over 1 year
First race1930 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Wins Podiums Poles
0 0 0

Biography

edit

According to Indianapolis Motor Speedway historian Donald Davidson, very little is known about Cucinotta, who was from Messina, Italy, and drove with his own Maserati (sent at his own expense from Italy), but not for the team. He made only one appearance at Indianapolis, and is not known to have participated in any other American major automobile races. He was given the nickname "Piccolo Pete" by the crowd.[2]

Cucinotta participated in many Italian races like Targa Florio, Tripoli Grand Prix and Coppa Acerbo. He was born in 1902 and died in 1987.[3] His best overall score was a second place at the 1928 Coppa Messina, held on a 52-km road circuit in Sicily, and a class win at the 1926 Coppa Vinci driving an 1100 cc S.A.M. voiturette, also held at Messina. After the war, Cucinotta continued racing until 1964.[4]

Motorsports career results

edit

Indianapolis 500 results

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Autocourse Official History of the Indianapolis 500
  2. ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley - 1070-AM WIBC/Network Indiana, May 10, 2007
  3. ^ "Letterio Cucinotta at OldRacingCars.com".
  4. ^ "Letterio Maria Cucinotta Picollo at Golden Era of Grand Prix Racing".