The Indy 500 drivers — Where are they now?
by Richard Jenkins
Sections
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, Roscoe H Rann and Barry Lake.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Kalen | 05 Jul 1904 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
07 Jan 1992 Fort Washington, Pennsylvania |
USA | 0 (1932) |
Dirt track racer, who was successful in the Pennsylvania area, but struggled to make a mark on the national arena, where he was normally a midfield runner. He holds the board track records for the Langhorne and Pottstown Speedways, both of which are no longer in use. (Last updated 24 Feb 2011) |
| Tony Kanaan | 31 Dec 1974 Salvador, Bahia |
BR | 11 (2002-2012) |
A success in CART, he switched to the IRL a few seasons back, where he spent a long time with Michael Andretti's team. Still in the series. (Last updated 26 May 2012) | |
| Jerry Karl | 29 Apr 1941 Jamaica, New York |
16 Feb 2008 Baltimore, Maryland |
USA | 6 (1970-1985) |
Killed in a road accident, dying of injuries sustained in a crash, after apparently falling ill at the wheel of his car. Up to his death, he was based in Wellsville, Indiana, where he ran Karl Racing Enterprises, which acted as a major distributor for synthetic lubricants and also steering and suspension components to the racing car world. A qualified pilot, Jerry raced in a number of series for over 30 years. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Albert 'Bert' Karnatz | 1905 Detroit, Michigan |
15 Jul 1934 Motor City Speedway, nr. Detroit, Michigan |
USA | 1 (1929-1931) |
Killed at his local track, where he was a legend, when a tyre burst, pitching him into a series of crashes. An engineer of some note, he also worked for Chrysler. (Last updated 5 Jan 2011) |
| Johnny Kay | 27 Dec 1922 New Britain, Connecticut |
10 Aug 2008 Marlborough, Connecticut |
USA | 0 (1953-1959) |
Midget driver ace, a popular driver who kept links with the sport for most of his life, mainly through his role as a racing photographer. Died recently after a long period of ill-health. (Last updated 16 Mar 2013) |
| Ray Keech | 01 May 1900 Coatesville, Pennsylvania |
15 Jun 1929 Tipton, Pennsylvania |
USA | 2 (1928-1929) |
The winner of the 1929 Indy 500, he was killed, shortly afterwards, in a crash at Altoona. |
| Rupert Keegan | 26 Feb 1955 Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex |
GB | 0 (1986) |
Now back in the UK, often seen at historic events. Had a rapid rise to reach F1, but raced on for some years. Last raced competitively in 1995, in sports car racing, and then spent some time living in the USA. (Last updated 11 Nov 2012) | |
| Charles F Keene | Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania |
unknown |
USA | 1 (1914-1915) |
Boisterous individual, one of the first to sign a commercial deal. Co-owner, builder and driver of the Beaver Bullet, but the project never really succeeded. A varied racer, he attempted a lot of speed records. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Al Keller | 11 Apr 1920 Alexander, New York |
19 Nov 1961 Phoenix, Arizona |
USA | 6 (1955-1961) |
Killed in an USAC Champ Car crash in a meeting at Arizona State Fairgrounds. A regular NASCAR driver, he took 2 wins in 1954, before his switch to Champ Cars for a long time. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Mel Kenealy | 17 May 1903 Denver, Colorado |
29 Jun 1985 Long Beach, California |
USA | 1 (1930) |
Dirt track and road race ace who also broke speed records and exhibition races. Also raced motor boats. Career ended when he was accused of stealing cars. Of Irish ancestry, he stayed linked with the sport until death and when F1 and CART visited Long Beach, he was often seen in the paddock. Died of a stroke. |
| Mel Kenyon | 15 Apr 1933 Lacon, Illinois |
USA | 8 (1965-1977) |
One of the greatest midget drivers of all time. Finally retired in 2009 from racing midget cars, aged 76! In 2002, he won a race at Camden Speedway beating a driver 54 years younger than him! All of this is even more amazing, considering he has driven most of his life without fingers on his left hand after an accident in 1965. Also runs a team and acts as a coach, and also runs a workshop. A true credit to the sport, he now lives in Lebanon, Indiana. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| H. J. Kilpatrick | 20 Jun 1879 Washington D.C. |
29 Mar 1961 Fresno, California |
USA | 0 (1913) |
H. J. stood for Hugh Judson - which is why Kilpatrick was sometimes referred to as Juddy. Also entered a number of events pre-WW1. (Last updated 23 Jun 2011) |
| Charlie Kimball | 20 Feb 1985 Chertsey, Surrey, England |
USA | 2 (2011-2012) |
New IRL graduate, based mostly in Indy Lights, although he has also raced in Europe. (Last updated 23 Nov 2012) | |
| Sheldon Kinser | 09 Dec 1942 Bloomington, Indiana |
01 Aug 1988 Bloomington, Indiana |
USA | 6 (1975-1983) |
Uncle of Steve. A sprint car star, Sheldon passed away after a valiant fight against cancer. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Steve Kinser | 02 Jun 1954 Bloomington, Indiana |
USA | 1 (1997) |
Still racing. Nephew of Sheldon, Steve is a hugely successful and legendary sprint car racer and in 2005, won his 20th World of Outlaws Championship - he won his first championship as far back as 1978! The last few years has seen him combine driving with being a team owner. Still lives in Bloomington. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Charles Kirkpatrick | 29 Dec 1894 Lafayette, Indiana |
04 May 1975 Lafayette, Indiana |
USA | 1 (1919) |
Mechanic who raced from the mid '10's onwards. Later stayed linked with the sport locally. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Jimmy Kite | 18 Feb 1976 Effingham, Illinois |
USA | 5 (1998-2007) |
Now lives in Georgia and Missouri. Without a drive in some while, he ran a business devoted to hobbies, like toy trains, planes and cars, but now runs Indy Line Stripe, a commerical pavement striping business. Does do the odd sprint car race for fun. (Last updated 17 May 2011) | |
| Danny Kladis | 10 Feb 1917 Crystal City, Missouri |
26 Apr 2009 Joliet, Illinois |
USA | 2 (1946-1957) |
Died after a long battle with ill health, which stopped him attending events. Until his death, he was the oldest living Indy 500 starter. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Russ Klar | 27 Apr 1914 Brooklyn, New York |
16 Feb 2005 Lynbrook, Long Island, New York |
USA | 0 (1955) |
Made occasional visits to vintage meetings, until his death. Raced from the 1930's onwards and raced competitively until his 60's, finally retiring for good in 1983. Mainly in midget cars by far, but also raced in sprints, modified and NASCAR modified's. Died after a long illness. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Tom Klausler | 14 Jul 1945 Fort Snelling, Minnesota |
USA | 1 (1981) |
Works for McLaren Engines in Michigan. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Art Klein | 16 Mar 1889 Cleveland, Ohio |
06 Jun 1955 Los Angeles, California |
USA | 5 (1914-1922) |
Later built the Kleinart Indy car. Also worked as a road tester, assembly builder and cigar clerk! (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| James Klemos | 25 Oct 1898 Battle Creek, Michigan |
11 Sep 1935 Battle Creek, Michigan |
USA | 0 (1930) |
Driver of Greek ancestry, an engineer whose Indy attempt was his only race attempt. (Last updated 3 May 2010) |
| Harvey Kleopfer | 06 Jan 1897 Ramona, Kansas |
14 Apr 1943 San Pedro, California |
USA | 1 (1929) |
Often credited as 'Barney Kloepfer'. Harvey was an auto mechanic, who later ran an auto repair garage. |
| Steve Knapp | 17 Apr 1964 Minneapolis, Minnesota |
USA | 3 (1998-2001) |
Now lives in Wisconsin, but is no longer racing. Does some racing driver instructing, but mostly involved with his engine business, Elite Engines, which builds Ford 2.0L and 1600cc engines, mainly for SCCA events. | |
| Chris Kneifel | 23 Apr 1961 Chicago, Illinois |
USA | 2 (1981-1984) |
Works as a performance driving instructor and was also a CART steward. Also raced in endurance events until 2001. Lives in Arizona. (Last updated 17 May 2011) | |
| Arnie Knepper | 10 Oct 1930 Belleville, Illinois |
06 Jun 1992 Belleville, Illinois |
USA | 5 (1965-1973) |
Died of cancer. Brother of Ray. An excellent midget driver, a race in his name is still held in his memory. Raced on until as late as 1988 and had a very varied career. |
| Ray Knepper | 22 Feb 1920 Belleville, Illinois |
15 Feb 2000 Lebanon, Illinois |
USA | 0 (1951) |
Dirt track and midget star with a few wins in the 1950's. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Harry Knight | 06 Aug 1889 Jonesboro, Indiana |
04 Jul 1913 Columbus, Ohio |
USA | 2 (1911-1912) |
Killed in an AAA National race. A fast and wild driver, he started racing in 1910 and was strong in road racing. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| William (Billy) Knipper | 09 Aug 1882 Rochester, New York |
07 Sep 1968 Rochester, New York |
USA | 3 (1911-1914) |
Early star of US road races, winning in Lowell in 1909 and producing fine drives for some years. Stayed in the industry after racing. |
| Dave Koetzla | 17 Aug 1894 Centralia, Illinois |
18 Apr 1968 Vista, California |
USA | 1 (1922) |
Later worked for Gilmore Oil and was also track manager at Gilmore Stadium, as well as acting as a race promoter. |
| Henry Kohlert | 08 Mar 1892 St. Charles, Illinois |
18 Dec 1939 St. Charles, Illinois |
USA | 2 (1927-1928) |
Retired after being badly injured in the 1928 race. A garage owner and a friend of Norm Batten, he had a relatively short career. Of Danish ancestry. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Ed Kostenuk | 12 Oct 1925 Victoria, British Columbia |
02 Sep 1997 Sacramento, California, USA |
CDN | 0 (1962) |
USAC regular, excellent in sprint and midget cars in Canada, but did not do as well in the US. |
| Bill Krause | 02 Jan 1933 Compton, California |
USA | 0 (1963) |
Mainly a sportscar driver, although he came very close to racing in F1 in 1963. Still alive and living in California. After retiring in 1966, Bill went on to run bike and car dealerships. He still has ties with Penske and spends most of his time restoring cars. (Last updated 4 Oct 2010) | |
| Peter Kreis | 19 Jan 1900 Knoxville, Tennessee |
25 May 1934 Indianapolis, Indiana |
USA | 7 (1925-1934) |
Killed in qualifying for the Indianapolis 500. Real name Albert. Started racing on dirt-tracks as young as 15(!). Although he never really succeeded at Indy, he did do extremely well elsewhere and even raced in Europe. Worked in the family railroad/levee construction business and worked as a pilot. He had retired from racing bar his Indianapolis attempts when he was killed. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Johnny Krieger | 1900 Denver, Colorado |
unknown Colorado |
USA | 2 (1930-1932) |
Raced mostly in dirt-track races, from 1923 to 1933. Retired after his sister died suddenly and he had to help the family, and move back to Colorado. (Last updated 19 Oct 2010) |
| Steve Krisiloff | 07 Jul 1946 Newark, New Jersey |
USA | 11 (1970-1984) |
Worked as Director of Operations at Patrick Racing until very recently. For 10 years, he was vice-president of the Indianapolis Speedway and did a huge amount of work for the circuit, both constructional and promotional work. Also now president of a motorsports consulting firm, which also deals with manufacturing race car parts and Steve himself invented a lubrication system for internal combustion engines in the 1980's. Now lives in Indianapolis. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Phil Krueger | 22 Jun 1951 Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
USA | 2 (1983-1991) |
Now lives in Freetown, Indiana, where he continues to work as a mechanic. Has now survived two private plane crashes, the most recent being in 2010. (Last updated 2 Feb 2011) | |
| Lee Kunzman | 29 Nov 1944 Guttenberg, Iowa |
USA | 4 (1970-1987) |
Now lives in Indianapolis where he was team manager of Hemelgarn Racing for over 20 years. In 2010, he suffered a heart-attack and was in quite poor health after complications set in. Happily, he has made a recovery and is back visting events. (Last updated 2 Feb 2011) |
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 |
