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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teo Fabi |
09 Mar 1955 Milan |
|
I |
8 (1983-1995) |
Last raced a full season back in 1996, in CART. He has done the odd race since, mostly in the US and mostly in sportscars, but now retired. More recently, he has helped Corrado with the family business and also works as engineer in Italy. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Herbert 'Dusty' Fahrnow |
18 Jan 1903 Huntington, Indiana |
25 May 1981 Contra Costa, California |
USA |
2 (1931-1936) |
A regular midfield runner in numerous events in the 1930's. |
| Cy Fairchild |
11 Oct 1936 Gladwin, Michigan |
|
USA |
0 (1969) |
Still alive and a regular visitor to historic events. Still lives in Michigan, running a cattle farm. Used to work as a promoter. |
| Jack Fairman |
15 Mar 1913 Smallfield nr. Horley, Surrey |
07 Feb 2002 Rugby, Warwickshire |
GB |
0 (1962) |
Raced for aeons but then went on to run a garage business in London and a mechanical parts concern in Surrey for many years. In the early 1990's, health took a downturn, so this 'Desert Rat' moved to a motorsport retirement home near Rugby. He died recently, aged 88. |
| Harry Falt |
04 May 1895 Port Blakely, Washington |
26 Feb 1967 Seattle, Washington |
USA |
0 (1933) |
Based in Seattle for most of his life, he was an electrician, specialising in automobiles, by trade. |
| Juan-Manuel Fangio |
24 Jun 1911 Balcarce, Buenos Aires |
17 Jul 1995 Buenos Aires |
RA |
0 (1958) |
The legendary driver, arguably the greatest of them all, died after a long illness. He was a roving ambassador for the sport and Mercedes until just a few months before his death. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Milt Fankhauser |
29 Oct 1915 New York City |
26 Feb 1970 Santa Barbara, California |
USA |
1 (1947-1950) |
A former pilot, Milton's son is now a top 'surf-rock' star. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Fred Fansin |
1908 Chouteau, Illinois |
unknown |
USA |
0 (1930) |
Entered and built his own car for the 1930 race, but failed to qualify and was not heard of again. |
| Giuseppe Farina |
30 Oct 1906 Turin |
30 Jun 1966 Aiguebelle, nr. Chambery, France |
I |
0 (1956) |
Killed in a road crash in France whilst on his way to the 1966 French GP, in which he was not only visiting to spectate but also to film, for throughout the season, he had been the adviser and driving double of actor Yves Montand, who played an Italian and Ferrari ex-World Champion in the film Grand Prix. A doctor of engineering, he won the first World Championship. Despite being an intelligent and undeniably great driver, his controversial driving style and aloofness have dented his legacy somewhat. |
| Cotton Farmer |
07 Jul 1928 Fort Worth, Texas |
04 Jun 2004 Fort Worth, Texas |
USA |
0 (1961) |
His real name Alvin, he was also a rodeo rider for some while before racing. Alvin also worked as automotive chemical salesman. Farmer was both a visitor to events and a friendly host to those interested in his era until recent illness, sadly, finally took its toll. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Frank Farmer |
1901 Benwood, West Virginia |
28 Aug 1932 Perth Amboy, New Jersey |
USA |
3 (1929-1931) |
World Speed record ace killed in a crash at Woodbridge Speedway, dying later in hospital. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Warren (W. H.) Farr |
25 Jun 1889 Flint, Michigan |
unknown |
USA |
0 (1912) |
Road course and endurance racer in the early days of the sport, he had already stopped racing by World War 1. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Walt Faulkner |
16 Feb 1920 Tell, Texas |
22 Apr 1956 Vallejo, California |
USA |
5 (1950-1955) |
Killed in an accident on his first qualfying lap for a USAC stock car race in California. A NASCAR regular, Walt also raced dirt and midget cars, but was also capable in Indy roadsters. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Johnny Fedricks |
11 Apr 1925 Royal Oak, Michigan |
26 Feb 2001 Oakland, Michigan |
USA |
0 (1950-1957) |
Midget ace, with over 100 wins in the discipline. Raced for most of the 1950's and also attempted a couple of endurance touring events as well. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Harlan Fengler |
01 Mar 1903 Chicago, Illinois |
26 Mar 1981 New Lebanon, Ohio |
USA |
1 (1923-1924) |
Better known at the speedway as the Chief Steward, a role he held from 1958-1974. His chief 'claim to fame' was his involvement in the Parnelli Jones-Jim Clark argument of 1963. Also a car builder and mechanic for many years. |
| Dick Ferguson |
16 Mar 1950 New York City, New York |
|
USA |
1 (1979-1989) |
Still visits races, including the Indy 500. Varied and experienced racer, mainly in sportscars and CART. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Adrian Fernandez |
20 Apr 1963 Mexico City |
|
MEX |
4 (1994-2005) |
Popular driver who has combined running his own team and driving for some years now. Has run teams in CART, Grand-Am and the IRL (the last with Aguri Suzuki), but he disbanded his team for good at the end of 2009. Still races, however, including in ALMS and Grand-Am. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| George Fernic |
05 Aug 1900 Galati |
29 Aug 1930 Chicago, Illinois, United States of America |
RO |
1 (1927) |
An engineer and pilot, he was a pioneer in aviation, working on numerous aircraft. However, it was whilst piloting his own 'safety plane', that he ironically met his death, crashing into an Illinois field. However, his aircraft company carried on for a good few years after his death. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| I.P. Fetterman |
01 Sep 1887 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
05 Dec 1924 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
USA |
1 (1922) |
I.P. stood for Isaac Phillips. Worked as a car dealer in Pittsburgh, but died suddenly of natural causes. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Chet Fillip |
04 Apr 1957 Avon, Indiana |
|
USA |
2 (1982-1983) |
Until recently, he was still racing sprint cars that he and his brother built. In 2006, aged 49, he won the first PRA Sprint Series title. Although he does still appear in sprints, he also races in trucks and drift events. He and his brother also set up and prepare cars for a number of competitors for the CRA Super series. As well as all this, he also enjoys some spare time as a violinist. (Last updated 6 Apr 2010) |
| Ed Finley |
29 Oct 1941 Dahinda, Illinois |
|
USA |
0 (1979) |
Car owner, who was nothing more than a backmarker during his career, which stretched through most of the late '70's. |
| Dennis Firestone |
22 Jul 1944 Townsville, Queensland, Australia |
|
USA |
5 (1980-1987) |
Largely retired, although he still owns a trailer shipping, distribution and haulage business in California, where he continues to live, and he is also involved in the tyre industry. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Nick Firestone |
31 Mar 1966 Phoenix, Arizona |
|
USA |
0 (1999) |
No relation of Dennis, but Nick is the great-grandson of Harvey, the tyre magnate. Lives in Scottsdale, Arizona where he runs a motorsports PR and promotion service. Also raced in Europe briefly. |
| Sarah Fisher |
04 Oct 1980 Columbus, Ohio |
|
USA |
9 (2000-2010) |
Recently returned to the IRL, after a spell getting her degrees and whilst working for a marketing company. In 2010, she is driving and running her own team on a part-time basis, including a visit to the Indy 500. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| John Fitch |
04 Aug 1917 Indianapolis, Indiana |
|
USA |
0 (1953) |
Since his retirement in 1964, he was the manager of the Lime Rock circuit and a former team boss. His biggest legacy is probably though, motor racing safety, as well as pioneering work to road car safety. He has worked on advanced driver safety capsule systems, and has been a consultant to both worlds. He was also a track design consultant, as well as inventing other automotive devices. He, even over 90, is still a consultant and appears at historics. However money problems and his wife's illness have affected him recently. Lives in Connecticut. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Christian Fittipaldi |
18 Jan 1971 Sao Paulo |
|
BR |
1 (1995) |
Moved from F1 to CART and raced there for 8 seasons, despite a number of heavy injuries blunting his chances. He moved to NASCAR and it's affiliated series in 2003, won at Daytona in 2004 and then raced in Grand-Am. More recently in Grand-Am, sportscars and other endurance although he does also race Brazillian stock cars as well. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Emerson Fittipaldi |
12 Dec 1946 Sao Paulo |
|
BR |
11 (1984-1995) |
Brazillian legend who raced in CART for some while, until a run of injuries led to retirement. Ran a A1 GP team, but now part-runs a orange farm, and is also involved in the boat industry as well as being a motorsport consultant and involved in a number of business projects. He also returned to racing, in the Grand Prix Masters series and does the odd race still, in GT's in Brazil. (Last updated 6 Apr 2010) |
| Pat Flaherty |
06 Jan 1926 Glendale, California |
09 Apr 2002 Oxnard, California |
USA |
6 (1949-1959) |
Died after a long battle with cancer. Drifted away from the sport in the 1970's and took up pigeon racing! |
| Myron Fohr |
17 Jun 1912 Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
14 Jan 1994 Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
USA |
2 (1948-1951) |
Died after complications with diabetes. Best on dirt tracks, he was also competent in stock cars. |
| Jack Foley |
1901 Billerica, Massachusetts |
04 Jul 1926 Salem, New Hampshire |
USA |
0 (1926) |
Board and dirt track driver, killed in a qualification attempt. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| George Follmer |
27 Jan 1934 Phoenix, Arizona |
|
USA |
3 (1968-1975) |
Still does the odd historic race today - otherwise he takes part in PR events across the globe. Lives in Idaho. Also works as a pilot. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| George Fonder |
22 Jun 1917 Elmhurst, Pennsylvania |
14 Jun 1958 Hatfield, Pennsylvania |
USA |
3 (1949-1954) |
Killed in a midget racing crash. One of the top midget drivers of the 1940's and 1950's, he also drove in sprints. He died in a one-off return race after retiring a few years before. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Carl Forberg |
04 Mar 1911 Omaha, Nebraska |
17 Jan 2000 Brownsburg, Indiana |
USA |
1 (1950-1952) |
Later became a sprint-car owner. Started off motorcycling and hillclimbing, who later became a competent midget driver. His daughter married Pancho Carter. |
| Gene Force |
15 Jun 1916 New Madison, Ohio |
21 Aug 1983 Brooklyn, Michigan |
USA |
2 (1951-1960) |
Died of a heart-attack whilst watching a race at the Michigan International Speedway. As a racer, he was based in midget and sprint cars. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Percy Ford |
15 Mar 1888 Chicago, Illinois |
08 Mar 1962 Kansas City, Missouri |
USA |
1 (1921) |
Worked as a salesman for Packard Motors and also played a lot of golf in his spare time! (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Roscoe Ford |
15 Apr 1897 Edinburgh, Indiana |
19 Dec 1979 Fort Pierce, Florida |
USA |
1 (1929) |
Mechanic and car dealer who appeared as a relief driver in 1929. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Billy Foster |
18 Sep 1937 Victoria, British Columbia |
20 Jan 1967 Riverside International Raceway, California, USA |
CDN |
2 (1965-1966) |
Killed in a crash during practice for the NASCAR Grand National 'Motor Trend 500', when it was believed the brakes failed, at the end of the mile long backstraight, and his car crashed into a wall. A supermodified ace, this ex-rancher started racing as early as 1954 before doing well in supermodified and stock cars in both Canada and the US. |
| Louis Fountaine |
20 Dec 1882 Cato, Michigan |
02 Mar 1960 Waukesha, Wisconsin |
USA |
1 (1921) |
Ralph de Palma's racing mechanic, he also worked for Mercedes in the same capacity. A small chap, he was of French ancestry. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Ken Fowler |
15 Mar 1907 Fargo, North Dakota |
16 Jan 1981 St. James City, Florida |
USA |
2 (1937-1948) |
Raced sporadically both pre and post World War 2, mainly in AAA events. |
| Frank Fox |
19 Jun 1877 Monroeville, Pennsylvania |
19 Apr 1931 Oaklandon, Indiana |
USA |
1 (1911-1913) |
Originally an oil developer, Frank then bought a dealership. His driving career ended after he was badly injured in a road crash and then turned to horse racing - The Fox Stake harness race is named after him. He sold his businesses and then sadly suffered another accident, which he failed to recover from. (Last updated 7 Jul 2010) |
| Malcolm Fox |
13 Mar 1906 Westville, New Jersey |
21 Aug 1968 San Francisco, California |
USA |
2 (1931-1933) |
Malcolm was a decent midfield runner, but after being involved in the crash that killed Les Spangler in the 1933 Indy 500, he never raced again. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Stan Fox |
07 Jul 1952 Janesville, Wisconsin |
18 Dec 2000 nr. Waiouru, North Island, New Zealand |
USA |
8 (1984-1995) |
Amazingly survived an horrific crash in the 1995 Indy 500, but never raced again. Recovered to walk and talk again, however, possibly as a result of the accident, Stan started suffering seizures and it was believed this may have been a factor in his death, in a car crash in New Zealand, where he was support and back-up crew to a contingent of US racers competing at the Western Springs Speedway and also working for head-injury support units in the country. |
| AJ Foyt |
16 Jan 1935 Houston, Texas |
|
USA |
35 (1958-1993) |
US legend (4 Indy 500 wins) and Le Mans Winner, 1967. Still involved in motorsport as a team owner/manager in the IRL. Still a pivotal, albeit outspoken, figure of US racing. |
| Larry Foyt |
22 Feb 1977 Houston, Texas |
|
USA |
3 (2004-2006) |
Primarily a stockcar racer, Larry is now retired and involved in the management of the Foyt teams in the IRL and NASCAR. However, he does still appear in the odd selected truck race for fun. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| AJ Foyt (IV) |
25 May 1984 Hockley, Texas |
|
USA |
6 (2003-2010) |
Grandson of his legendary namesake. Raced in the IRL for his grandfather's team and became one of the youngest drivers ever to start the Indy 500, when he qualified for the 2003 event. Moved to the Busch Series, but it was not a success and has since made a comeback to the IRL, albeit now part-time. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Dick Fraizer |
18 Apr 1918 Mooreland, Indiana |
11 Mar 1995 New Castle, Indiana |
USA |
0 (1949-1952) |
Retired after his Indy attempt, and later became a mechanic. He worked in a number of garages and in a muffler shop. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Fred Frame |
03 Jun 1894 Exeter, New Hampshire |
25 Apr 1962 Hayward, California |
USA |
9 (1927-1938) |
Moved to California at an early age and was based there for much of his life. Carried on racing until the war, then became a team owner until his son was killed in a crash in 1947, after which, he retired. |
| Aldo Franchi |
21 Mar 1882 Milan |
unknown |
I |
2 (1916-1920) |
A mechanic and engineer, he later worked on developing a new braking system. |
| Dario Franchitti |
19 May 1973 Broxburn, West Lothian, Scotland |
|
GB |
7 (2002-2010) |
Husband of movie actress Ashley Judd, Franchitti had a long and successful spell in the IRL, and capped that era with both an Indianapolis 500 win in 2007, followed up by the IRL title later in the year. Made a switch to NASCAR in 2008 and also won Daytona that year but then struggled and so he returned back to the IRL, where he won the title again in 2009. Remains in the series in 2010 and won the Indy 500 that year too. (Last updated 7 Jul 2010) |
| Tom Frantz |
09 Jul 1943 Denver, Colorado |
|
USA |
0 (1977-1979) |
Ran a garage and auto body shop in Denver. |
| Lee Frayer |
02 Oct 1874 La Grange, Missouri |
25 Jul 1938 Columbus, Ohio |
USA |
2 (1911-1912) |
An pioneer car builder, Lee was heavily involved in the industry in the early days of the event. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Roland Free |
18 Nov 1900 Chicago, Illinois |
11 Oct 1980 Los Angeles, California |
USA |
2 (1930-1948) |
Ran a gas station for years. Also set the American Land Speed Record for a motorcycle and a book on his life will be published in the near-future. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Don Freeland |
25 Mar 1925 Los Angeles, California |
02 Nov 2007 San Diego, California |
USA |
8 (1953-1963) |
Died recently in California after a long battle with ill-health. A former US navy mechanic, he raced in sprint cars and roadsters as well as some endurance events. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Franck Freon |
16 Mar 1964 Paris |
|
F |
0 (1995) |
Drove in Indy Pro and CART for some years and after a brief soray in Japan, returned to the US, to drive in sportscars and GT racing. Now retired from driving, and lives in New Jersey, USA, where he runs a classic car dealership called Pumpkin Fine Cars and Classics. |
| Bob Frey |
25 Oct 1950 Elyria, Ohio |
|
USA |
0 (1982) |
Still alive, owned his own mortuary in Wickenburg, Arizona, but sold it in 2005 and has moved across state to enjoy retirement. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| W. Howard Frey |
29 Jun 1879 Baltimore, Maryland |
unknown |
USA |
0 (1911) |
Businessman, who raced in endurance events in the early days of the sport in the USA. |
| Ernest Friderich |
23 Oct 1886 Paris |
22 Jan 1954 Nice |
F |
1 (1914) |
Mechanic, who later spent many years with Bugatti, before establishing a dealership in Nice, France. Father of two later racers, Paul and Renee, who was killed in 1932 in a rally. |
| George Fuller |
Indiana |
unknown |
USA |
0 (1912) |
Riding mechanic, based in Indiana, who sometimes acted as support to racers in the early 1910's. Also worked as a mechanic in a garage. |
| Andy Furci |
12 Dec 1916 Brooklyn, New York |
09 Jul 1998 Suffolk, New York |
USA |
0 (1957) |
Raced on until the 1970's and also ran some Italian restaurants with his brothers. Health took a downturn after a stroke in the early 1990's. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
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 |