The Indy 500 drivers — Where are they now?
by Richard Jenkins
| See also |
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World Championship drivers Formula 3000 drivers Indy 500 drivers North American Racers World Championship team bosses |
I have endeavoured to try and provide as up-to-date and accurate information as possible for everyone featured on this site, and I am always indebted to the many contributors who help with the information on this site and sadly, space doesn't allow for me to thank everyone here. However, I would like to dedicate the ongoing work, progress and achievements on this site to those contributors who are sadly no longer with us but helped aide this project so much: Len Calinoff, Phil Harms, Gene Heeter, Earl Ma, Don Radbruch and Roscoe H Rann.
Updates and corrections are always welcomed — please either join the debate here or feel free to contact me on with any information you might have.
This part of the site is also dedicated to the memory of Tony Marsh, as it was his post-Grand Prix life that served as the initial inspiration for "Where Are They Now" back in 1998 For more about what this part of the site is trying to achieve, please read my full introduction.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
| Name | Born | Died | Nat | Indy 500s | Biography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilbur D'Alene |
25 Oct 1884 Center Township, Indiana |
01 Dec 1966 Fort Myers, Florida |
USA |
3 (1916-1922) |
A mystery man, his real name was Ed Wilbur Aleon, who was a farmer and tyre salesman. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Guido Dacco |
10 Sep 1942 Limbiate |
29 Jul 2006 Lezzano |
I |
0 (1990-1991) |
Died recently, after a long illness. Until he fell ill, he was still heavily involved with the sport, either with driving, historic festivals and as a team boss in the FIA GT series. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Chuck Daigh |
29 Nov 1923 Long Beach, California |
29 Apr 2008 Newport Beach, California |
USA |
0 (1959-1962) |
Worked in engineering until his 80's, and was a frequent visitor to historic events until just before his death. Also worked as a car restorer. Died after heart and respiratory problems. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Wally Dallenbach |
12 Dec 1936 New Brunswick, New Jersey |
|
USA |
13 (1967-1981) |
His sons, Wally Jr. and Paul, have both had successful careers. Wally Sr. was Chief Steward of CART for many years. Now retired, but follows his sons' career and is Chairman of the Board of IRL Ministries, a religious support group for the drivers and crew of the series. Now lives in Colorado, where he organizes the Colorado 500 Invitational Charity Dirt and Road motorcycle ride each year, and also runs a ranch, garage and cabins in Colorado. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Derek Daly |
11 Mar 1953 Stillorgan, Dublin |
|
IRL |
6 (1983-1989) |
Works in the US for Speedvision and also has a racing school at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He also is a businessman, speaker and driver coach, as well as running a professional services company. His son also races. |
| Paul Dana |
15 Apr 1973 St. Louis, Missouri |
26 Mar 2006 Miami, Florida |
USA |
0 (2005) |
Journalist and mechanic, whose career had been blighted by injury, Paul was killed in a horrendous practice crash at the IRL season opener at the Homestead-Miami track. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Jorge Daponte |
05 Jun 1923 Buenos Aires |
09 Mar 1963 Buenos Aires |
RA |
0 (1953) |
Died suddenly, possibly a suicide. He was a businessman after racing, until his death. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Airton Dare |
09 Feb 1978 Bauru |
|
BR |
5 (2000-2006) |
Raced in the IRL, but his career suffered a setback in 2003 when he suffered a huge crash in practice for a race in Texas. Made a return to racing in Brazilian stockcars, but reappeared at Indianapolis in 2006. Now no longer driving full-time, he runs a karting track in Bauru and helps coach youngsters. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Frank Davidson |
02 Nov 1886 Manhattan, New York |
Feb-65 Michigan |
USA |
0 (1922-1933) |
Worked as an engineer. A veteran driver, he raced for a long time but without big success. He had a long period between Indy attermpts, with his 1933 effort coming with him entering his own built special. Also based in San Bernandino and Mississippi during his career and also ran a garage. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Jimmy Davies |
08 Aug 1929 Glendale, California |
11 Jun 1966 Chicago, Illinois |
USA |
5 (1950-1963) |
Killed in a midget racing crash at Santa Fe Speedway. A midget ace, he won 3 national USAC midget titles. Also, unusually for the era, raced in Australia in the same discipline in the early 60's. Also fought in the Korean War. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Don Davis |
18 Dec 1933 Tucson, Arizona |
08 Aug 1962 Dayton, Ohio |
USA |
2 (1961-1962) |
Died in hospital after a USAC sprint car crash, after the chequered flag had been flown. A supermodified and sprint car ace, who also had some good results at Indy. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Floyd Davis |
09 Mar 1905 Oakford, Illinois |
31 May 1977 Indianapolis, Indiana |
USA |
4 (1937-1941) |
The 1941 winner, whose son also became a racing driver. Raced pre and post war and was extremely strong on dirt ovals. |
| Joe Dawson |
17 Jul 1889 Odon, Indiana |
17 Jun 1946 Langhorne, Pennsylvania |
USA |
3 (1911-1913) |
Later became an AAA supervisor and died of a heart-attack during a track inspection for the upcoming championship race. Also worked as a car dealer, mechanic and garage owner. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Danny Day |
07 Jun 1900 Tipton, Indiana |
06 May 1967 Indianapolis, Indiana |
USA |
1 (1932-1934) |
Appeared in a few races in Indiana and nearby regions, but without much success. At the time of his death, he was a local councillor. He also worked as a farmer and was a member of the Indy Oldtimers Club until his death. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Jimmy Daywalt |
28 Aug 1924 Wabash, Indiana |
04 Apr 1966 Indianapolis, Indiana |
USA |
8 (1949-1963) |
Died of cancer, and this fight against the disease brought an early end to his career. Indy stalwart, who mainly raced in sprint cars and sometimes built his own cars. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Gil de Ferran |
11 Nov 1967 Paris, France |
|
BR |
4 (1995-2003) |
Talented driver who never made it to F1, but moved to the US and became a legend. Won the CART title twice, in 2000 and 2001. He also won the Indy 500 in 2003, with Penske Racing. He retired at the end of 2003 and worked as a TV commentator. In 2005, he was named as Honda's F1 Sporting Director, a role he kept until 2007. In 2008, he announced a surprise return to racing, and did this with his very own, newly formed ALMS team. In 2009, though, he finally retired as a driver and from 2010, will run an IRL team as well as also being a co-owner in ALMS. (Last updated 6 Apr 2010) |
| Simona De Silvestro |
01 Sep 1988 Thun |
|
CH |
1 (2010) |
Longtime US based lady driver, who moved up to the IRL in 2010. |
| Pierre de Vizcaya |
05 Jul 1894 Altfort, Alsace |
15 Jul 1933 Paris, France |
E |
1 (1923) |
A Bugatti legend, Pierre, part of the famous family, later became a coach-builder. Died in a road accident when a dog inside the car ran out and Pierre tried to catch him, fell and hit the pavement, dying later in hospital. Spanish, but lived almost all his life in France. He loved cars and aeroplanes and financed Ettore Bugatti's first factory car, racing them, as well as, later on, members of his family. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| John de Vries |
04 Mar 1966 Newport Beach, California |
|
USA |
0 (2002) |
John built a sandwich shop empire whilst he was a teenager and then moved to Australia to develop it, which is where he started racing for fun. When he moved back to the US for business reasons, he started racing there, including Indy. No longer driving, he runs a number of restaurants, as well as a cosmetic company and an ATM business. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Martin DeAlzaga |
25 Jan 1901 Mar del Plata |
15 Nov 1982 Buenos Aires |
RA |
1 (1923) |
Grew up in Europe and married an American. Together they ran a boutique and nightclub and became linked with celebrities; their friends including Ginger Rogers, the Perons and Charlie Chaplin. Then married Kay Williams, who later married Clark Gable. After that failed, he returned to Argentina, but although he enjoyed life, he blew a fortune and struggled in his later years. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Rick Decker |
23 May 1903 Staten Island, New York |
01 Mar 1966 Somerville, New Jersey |
USA |
4 (1929-1938) |
Full name Rickcliffe, he later became a car owner. He was also a promoter, organiser and publicist for midget racing, and was a pioneer in the discipline's popularity on the East Coast of the USA. He also buillt his own midget cars. Retired from driving in 1938, and later became an aviator and owned an aviation company. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Prince DeCystria |
13 Dec 1898 Paris |
22 Feb 1943 Paris |
F |
1 (1923) |
A nom de plume for Bertrand Marie Ponce Francois Raphael Lucigne, Prince de Faucigny-Lucinge et Coligny! His 1st wife was also a distant relative of Napoleon. |
| Port Defraties |
23 Jul 1905 Springfield, Illinois |
16 Aug 1972 Springfield, Illinois |
USA |
0 (1940) |
Real name was Emerel. Had only a short career but kept links with the sport until his death. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Leon DeHart |
|
|
F |
0 (1932-33) |
Frenchman based in the US for some years. He also specialised in road races. |
| Ernest Delany |
05 Jan 1889 Jackson, Michigan |
29 Aug 1937 Jackson, Michigan |
USA |
1 (1911) |
Local boy who was a car tester in his spare time - his work coming as a grocery clerk. He was also a mechanical engineer and inventor. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Elmer Dempsey |
27 Jun 1895 St. Louis, Missouri |
unknown |
USA |
1 (1924) |
Relief driver based in St.Louis. Flew fighter planes in World War 1 and also worked as a chauffeur. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Bruce Denslow |
17 Dec 1908 Coalfield, North Dakota |
10 Aug 1954 Los Angeles, California |
USA |
0 (1946) |
Active in the sport, particulary in California, between 1935 and 1946, but didn't really have much success. |
| Bill Denver |
1901 Pennsylvania |
28 May 1933 Indianapolis, Indiana |
USA |
2 (1930-1933) |
Killed during qualifying for the Indy 500. Real name might have been Orem or Oram. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| John DePalma |
16 Feb 1885 Troia, Foggia, Italy |
18 Jan 1951 |
USA |
1 (1915) |
Brother of Ralph. Often worked as a support and/or a mechanic to his famous brother. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Ralph DePalma |
19 Dec 1882 Troia, Foggia, Italy |
31 Mar 1956 Pasadena, California |
USA |
10 (1911-1931) |
Went on to race stock-cars throughout the 1930's and later became a track referee. Also established a manufacturing comapny in Detroit, which built engines for cars and planes. |
| Peter DePaolo |
06 Apr 1898 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
26 Nov 1980 Costa Mesa, California |
USA |
8 (1922-1934) |
Retired after a serious accident, but later became a team owner/manager. After World War 2, he managed the Ford stock-car program and later became a director for Michigan International Speedway. |
| Jules Devigne |
22 Feb 1873 Le Havre |
22 Dec 1935 Hawthorne, New Jersey |
F |
1 (1916) |
French-born but a US citizen for most of his adult life, Jules was also a garage owner and mechanic. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Billy Devore |
12 Sep 1910 St. John, Kansas |
12 Aug 1985 Indianapolis, Indiana |
USA |
7 (1937-1954) |
Son of Earl Devore, pre-war Indianapolis star, who saved his son's life when the Vestris background. Real name was Louis. A capable and verstatile racer, he raced for over 20 years, mainly in sprints. Also rode broncos like his father. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Earl Devore |
02 Dec 1889 Macksville, Kansas |
12 Nov 1928 Lost at sea aboard the SS Vestris |
USA |
3 (1925-1928) |
Father of post-war racer Billy, whom he saved during the ship's sinking, along with his wife and Norm Batten's wife. Devore Sr. was later eaten by a shark in the icy waters, after his cries of help were ignored by seamen on another lifeboat. Real name Francis, he was an automobile salesman. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Larry Dickson |
08 Sep 1938 Marietta, Ohio |
|
USA |
8 (1966-1981) |
Sprint car legend. Now largely retired, although he still sometimes takes part in historic sprint car events. Lives in Indianapolis and is also involved in real estate. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Doug Didero |
18 Aug 1960 Hamilton, Ontario |
|
CDN |
0 (2000) |
Better known as a supermodified racer. Has been based in the US for a while now. Still racing, in supermodifieds, but also runs a fabrication business in North Carolina. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Bert Dingley |
21 Aug 1885 Oakdale, California |
07 Apr 1966 Indianapolis, Indiana |
USA |
1 (1912) |
Co-Champion of the 1st Indy-Style championship, back in 1909. One of the top road racers in the early days of the sport, he later worked in the media. |
| Duke Dinsmore |
10 Apr 1913 Williamstown, West Virginia |
12 Oct 1985 Daytona Beach, Florida |
USA |
7 (1946-1960) |
Real name was spelt Dinsmoor. Had a long career in the sport, spreading nearly 4 decades. |
| Louis Disbrow |
23 Sep 1876 Chicago, Illinois |
09 Jul 1939 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
USA |
4 (1911-1914) |
Later became a garage owner, aviator, racing car and boat builder, then a engineer and spark plug manufacturer, before becoming a race official. He even carried on racing well into his 50's. All of these was achieved despite, or maybe because of, being accused and then acquitted of murder back in 1902. Died after a long battle with illness. (Last updated 7 Jul 2010) |
| Mark Dismore |
12 Oct 1956 Greenfield, Indiana |
|
USA |
7 (1991-2002) |
Most of Mark's time now is taken up by the successful family business, Comet Kart Sales. His father, Emerson, died in 2003, so Mark took over the complete business full-time, but continues to drive karts and runs a kart track in his home town, where he lives. His son, also called Mark, is also a racing driver. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Scott Dixon |
22 Jul 1980 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
|
NZ |
8 (2003-2010) |
Highly rated driver who won the IRL championship in 2003 and 2008 with Ganassi and still with them in 2009. Also won the Indy 500 in 2008 and Daytona in 2006. |
| Dominic Dobson |
14 Aug 1957 Stuttgart, Germany |
|
USA |
7 (1987-1994) |
Lives in Washington State and has many business interests - Director of IRI Karting, property development, founder of the Motion Research Corporation and also has a huge collection of race and road cars, for which Dominic does all the significant acquisitions, sales, restoration, maintenance, personnel and equipment requirements for concours, road rally and race events and all this has made him extremely wealthy. Still does some historic driving when he has the chance. |
| Darrell Dockery |
12 Oct 1936 Phoenix, Arizona |
|
USA |
0 (1970) |
Primarily a sprint car driver, who raced through most of the '70's. Also competed in desert racing. Still alive and living in Buckeye, Arizona. (Last updated 6 Apr 2010) |
| Mario Dominguez |
01 Dec 1975 Mexico City |
|
MEX |
0 (2008) |
In and out of CART/CCWS/IRL, and has also appeared in the A1 GP series. Now settled in sportscars, and the FIA GT series. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Grant Donaldson |
18 Oct 1890 Milford, Iowa |
14 Apr 1981 Mesa, Arizona |
USA |
0 (1915) |
One of 3 racing sons of R.E. Donaldson, who built the Emden car. The others, Orville and Flavis, were racing alongside their father, when he was killed in a race at Spirit Lake in 1915. Unaware of his death, they raced on and came 1st and 2nd. Their father's death meant Grant took control of the business. Real name Harry, he also worked as a car dealer in Iowa and Washington State. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Mark Donohue |
18 Mar 1937 Summit, New Jersey |
19 Aug 1975 Graz, Austria |
USA |
5 (1969-1973) |
American racing legend who died of injuries from a crash in Austrian GP practice. Capable in both F1, US single-seaters and sportscars, he was one of the best all-rounders of his era. |
| Robert Doornbos |
23 Sep 1981 Rotterdam |
|
NL |
1 (2009) |
Former test driver for Red Bull's F1 team, Robert moved to the CCWS in 2007, but the IRL merger saw him lose his seat. Has since raced in GT's, A1 GP and Formula Superleague (for AC Milan), as well as some other endurance and some tests for Red Bull again, before returning to the US and the IRL in 2009. Now back racing in Formula Superleague. (Last updated 6 Apr 2010) |
| Rene Dreyfus |
06 May 1905 Nice |
16 Aug 1993 New York City, New York, USA |
F |
1 (1940) |
A true legend of French racing, Dreyfus later moved to the US, to run a restaurant in New York. He continued to stay very closely linked with the sport until his death. |
| Dan Drinan |
14 Apr 1960 Indianapolis, Indiana |
|
USA |
0 (1996-2000) |
Still in racing, as a midget builder, designer and occasional racer. |
| Bob Droeger |
06 Mar 1916 Greenfield, Indiana |
|
USA |
0 (1948) |
Obscure entrant, believed to still be alive, living in Utah. |
| Lee Drollinger |
20 May 1927 Champaign, Illinois |
01 Mar 2006 Mahomet, Illinois |
USA |
0 (1960) |
Died recently, in his native Illinois. Lee was a regular backmarker in USAC events in the 1950's and early '60's. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Max Dudley |
14 Jul 1936 Auburn, Washington |
|
USA |
0 (1969) |
Better known for Trans-Am, later ran a truck company. Has often raced north of the border around the Vancouver area and keeps links with the Canadian historic scene. |
| John Duff |
17 Jan 1895 Kiukang, China |
08 Jan 1958 Epping Forest, England |
CDN |
1 (1926) |
Died after a fall when horse-riding. One of the original 'Bentley Boys'. Bentley's London agent who raced mainly to help his dealership, but was well travelled, well spoken and a very good racer, especially in sportscars. Raced in the US for some while before a crash led to him retiring. Also broke many speed records. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Ronnie Duman |
12 Feb 1929 Dearborn, nr. Detroit, Michigan |
09 Jun 1968 Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
USA |
5 (1961-1968) |
Died of his injuries in the Rex Mays 150 race. Ex-Ford test driver who was a top sprint and midget driver for most of the 50's and 1960's, with numerous wins. Orphaned at birth, he also served in the US Army. |
| Len Duncan |
25 Jul 1911 New York City, New York |
01 Aug 1998 Lansdale, Pennsylvania |
USA |
1 (1953-1956) |
Acted, during World War Two, as President Truman's chauffeur. |
| Teddy Duncan |
18 Nov 1912 New York City, New York |
22 Aug 1963 Miami, Florida |
USA |
0 (1949-1950) |
Very successful midget driver, especially in Missouri and Illinois. Later moved to Florida, where he died, of a heart-attack, aged just 50. Real name Frederick. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Milka Duno |
22 Apr 1972 Caracas |
|
YV |
3 (2007-2010) |
Recent IRL graduate, but also a longtime sportscar racer, who has achieved great success in the category, and is one of the top woman racers around today. |
| Cliff Durant |
26 Nov 1890 Flint, Michigan |
30 Oct 1937 Beverly Hills, California |
USA |
7 (1919-1928) |
Real name Russell. Son of William, the founder of General Motors, Cliff supported his father's projects, but moved to California to marry Adelaide Frost, who was a singing star and who later married Eddie Rickenbacher. Cliff suffered ill-health for a while, before passing away. |
| Louis Durant |
25 Sep 1910 Topeka, Kansas |
13 Feb 1972 San Bernardino, California |
USA |
2 (1940-1948) |
Real name was actually spelt Lewis. Veteran AAA racer, he occasionally had a few major successes. |
| Paul Durant |
26 Sep 1959 Ames, Iowa |
|
USA |
2 (1996-1998) |
Best known as a super-modified racing driver, with 20 years' experience in the category. Later became a team-owner in the series, but now retired. Now involved in metal sales. |
| Arthur Duray |
09 Feb 1882 Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium |
11 Feb 1954 |
F |
1 (1914) |
Of Belgian parentage, he also lived in the US, but he later became a French citizen. Avation pioneer who raced from 1902 onwards and broke many speed records and raced Worldwide. Fought in WW1, and picked up his love of planes during this time. Raced on until 1933, and then stayed linked with the avation world for some years after that. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Leon Duray |
30 Apr 1894 Cleveland, Ohio |
12 May 1956 Twentynine Palms, California |
USA |
8 (1922-1934) |
Born George Stewart, he legally changed his name in deference to Arthur. Closely linked with Bugatti, he continued racing until the early 1930's. The name game continued when Jigger Sirois was born, as Jigger's real name is Leon Duray Sirois! Duray later became a car owner. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Reeves Dutton |
13 Feb 1887 Hudson Falls, New York |
12 Jul 1988 Simi Valley, California |
USA |
1 (1919) |
Mechanic, race car owner, designer and builder, who thus far, is the longest-lived of all the people on these pages, dying well past his 101st birthday. |
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