Tony Bettenhausen ... Born ... AAA / USAC driver from 1941 to 1961. He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1941 and 1946-1961 seasons with 121 starts, including 14 in the Indianapolis 500. He finished in the top ten 74 times, with 21 victories. He won the National Championship in 1951 after recording eight victories and two second place finishes in fourteen events. He announced his retirement from all racing but the Indianapolis 500 after the season. He decided to return full-time for the 1954 season. He was involved in a midget car wreck in Chicago. He suffered head injuries after striking a concrete wall. He was in critical condition for several days. He prearranged to co-drive with Chicago Gang friend Paul Russo in the 1955 Indianapolis 500. They finished second. In 1958 he won the national championship and assured the title with a second place finish at Phoenix. He finished second in the national championship to Rodger Ward in 1959. Bettenhausen was killed in 1961 in a crash at Indianapolis while testing a car for Paul Russo. Bettenhausen was the father of three racing sons Gary Bettenhausen, Tony Bettenhausen, Jr. and Merle Bettenhausen.
Billy Winn won the AAA sanctioned Syracuse 100 on the 1 Mile Dirt Oval New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, New York. Jimmy Snyder was second followed by Bob Sall, Duke Nalon and Mauri Rose.
Tony Bettenhausen won the AAA sanctioned Syracuse 100 on the 1 Mile Dirt Oval New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, New York. Mike Nazaruk was second followed by Don Freeland, Sam Hanks and Bill Holland.
Bill Holland won the AAA Eastern Sprint Car race over Tommy Hinnershitz at the Rutland Fairgrounds,Rutland, VT.
Ray Courtney won the AAA Midget race at the Heidelberg Speedway, Pittsburgh,PA.
Eddie Sachs won the USAC sanctioned Syracuse 100 on the 1 Mile Dirt Oval New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, New York. Don Branson was second followed by Rodger Ward, Jim McWithey and Bobby Grim.
Gig Stephens won the ARDC Midget race at the Danbury Fairgrounds, Danbury,CT.
Pete Folse won the IMCA Sprint Car race at the Topeka Fairgrounds, Topeka,KS.
Al Chamberlain and Dave Humphrey won the URC Sprint Car feature races at the Selinsgrove Speedway, Selinsgrove, PA.
Al Unser won the Hoosier Hundred USAC Champ Car race at the 1 Mile Dirt Oval Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Indiana. Ralph Liguori was second followed by A.J. Foyt, Sammy Sessions and Mike Mosley.
Larry Rice won the Hoosier Hundred USAC Champ Car race at the 1 Mile Dirt Oval Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Indiana. Rich Vogler was second followed by Gary Bettenhausen, Mark Alderson and Tom Bigelow.
George "Jerry" Emden Jr. ... Died ... Using his racing name of "Jerry Jerome" he was a leading stock car racer in New York in the 1950's.
Steve Kinser won the World of Outlaws Sprint Car race at the Antioch Speedway, Antioch, CA. Kyle Larson was second followed by Tim Kaeding, Brad Sweet and Jason Sides.
Brenden Bright drove to his first win of the season with the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) in the twenty-five lap feature event at the Grandview Speedway in a rare Friday night (Sept 14) racing event.. ( Click here for the race report. )
ONE DAY
To report wrong information, click here to send E-Mail to webmaster@wheelsofspeed.com 
Back to the Wheels of Speed home page