Tony Bettenhausen

Two-time National Championship winner, 1951 and 1958.

Tony Bettenhausen (1916-1961) was an American racing driver best known for open-wheel racing. He won the National Championship in 1951 and 1958, and also won stock car races under AAA and USAC sanction.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Melvin Eugene Bettenhausen
Born: 12 September 1916
Birthplace: Tinley Park, Illinois, U.S.
Died: 12 May 1961
Place of death: Speedway, Indiana, U.S.
Titles: AAA; USAC Championship Car (1951, 1958)

Lore & Background

Named the "Tinley Park Express" after his hometown, he came up in midget cars with the "Chicago Gang" and won the Milwaukee Mile track championship in 1942, 1946 and 1947.

More in Legendary Drivers

Bill Vukovich Wilbur Shaw Rick Mears Al Unser Bobby Unser Johnny Rutherford Gordon Johncock Emerson Fittipaldi Michael Andretti Bobby Rahal Danny Sullivan Tom Sneva

Elsewhere in IndyCar

The Milk Tradition · Stadium & Culture A.J. Foyt · Club History Pat Flaherty · Honours & Records 2000 Indianapolis 500 (Juan Pablo Montoya's rookie victory) · Iconic Matches Andretti Autosport · Teams & Constructors Bryan Herta Autosport · Teams & Constructors

Spotted an error? Know more?

Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced

Comments

Loading…

Open in the interactive codex →