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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Packard | 23 Dec 1931 Hendersonville, North Carolina |
01 Oct 1960 Fairfield, Illinois |
USA | 0 (1959-1960) |
Killed in a midget race, just after his first Champ Car win. Highly rated, varied driver who had many wins in sprint cars. Served in the Korean War. His widow, Betty, later worked in F1 and at Indianapolis, and she is still involved in the sport as she publishes the Ladies 500, a who's who of females in the sport. (Last updated 28 Jan 2012) |
| Simon Pagenaud | 18 May 1984 Poitiers |
F | 1 (2012) |
Champ Car Atlantic champion in 2006, who was in the CCWS in 2007. Was in an array of endurance championships, including ALMS, although he also appeared in the IRL in a few races in 2011, and followed this up with a more regular drive in 2012. Still there in 2013. (Last updated 21 Nov 2012) | |
| Roy Painter | 08 Jul 1896 Hickory Grove, Missouri |
09 Jun 1965 Sherman, Texas |
USA | 0 (1931-1936) |
Worked as a garage owner in Pittsburgh. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Carlos Pairetti | 17 Oct 1935 Santa Fe |
RA | 0 (1970) |
Still very much involved with Argentine motorsport, both current and historic. Has a circuit named after him in San Luis. | |
| Sam Palmer | 31 Oct 1901 Denver, Colorado |
15 May 1934 Bakersfield, California |
USA | 1 (1933) |
Raced mainly in big cars. Killed in a car crash whilst returning from an Oakland race meeting. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Tero Palmroth | 28 May 1953 Tempere |
SF | 4 (1988-1995) |
Now returned to Finland, where he no longer races, but he is an occasional visitor to motor shows and major racing events in his homeland. Was involved with the family shoe factory concern, which has a huge empire in Finland, but after a few disputes, now runs his own shoe and boot design company, as well as producing and selling them. Has had a few tough years recently, including a problem with drink. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Massimiliano Papis | 03 Oct 1969 Como |
I | 2 (2002-2008) |
Was in ASCAR briefly, now back in the US, firstly in CART, then in ALMS and now in Grand-Am and NASCAR Nationwide series. Also appears at the Indy 500. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Phil Pardee | 09 Jan 1906 Los Angeles, California |
27 Dec 1967 Madison, Montana |
USA | 1 (1929-1931) |
Mechanic, who raced mainly in California. Both of his Indy attempts ended in crashes. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| E. H. (Edward) Parker | unknown |
USA | 0 (1911) |
A regular road course entrant from 1909 onwards, who did well at Portland, Lowell and Savannah. | |
| Johnnie Parsons | 04 Jul 1918 Los Angeles, California |
08 Sep 1984 Van Nuys, California |
USA | 10 (1949-1958) |
Winner of the rain-hit 1950 race, Parsons later became Chief Steward for the USAC midget division on the West Coast in the early 1970's. |
| Johnny Parsons Jr. | 26 Aug 1944 Van Nuys, California |
USA | 12 (1969-1996) |
Now finally retired from racing, but raced on until his '60's - he almost made the 1998 Indy 500, even though he was 54 at the time. Son of the late, great Johnnie, his son also called Johnnie, still races. Johnny himself now does exhibition races only and now works as a broadcaster, after-dinner speaker, car dealership owner and as a businessman. He is also involved in road safety projects and is a driver instructor for road and racing car drivers. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Danica Patrick | 25 Mar 1982 Beloit, Wisconsin |
USA | 7 (2005-2011) |
Highly rated female driver, who is one of the few to qualify for Indianapolis and the only female winner of an US open-wheel event. After part-time rides in NASCAR, she moved there full-time in 2012. (Last updated 7 Oct 2011) | |
| Cyrus Patschke | 06 Jul 1889 Lebanon, Pennsylvania |
06 May 1951 Lebanon, Pennsylvania |
USA | 1 (1911) |
The forgotten winner of the 1911 race, yet only just old enough to race, Cyrus was a mechanic, motorcycle racer and latterly ran an auto parts shop and dealership in his home town. |
| James (Jimmy) Patterson | 03 Jul 1905 Poplar Bluff, Missouri |
27 May 1934 Winchester, Indiana |
USA | 2 (1931-1932) |
Mainly in sprint and dirt track races, he was killed in a sprint car crash. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| John Paul Jr. | 19 Feb 1960 Muncie, Indiana |
USA | 7 (1983-2001) |
John had a long and successful career, despite his father's criminal activities, which saw a young John go to jail for obstruction. Now works as a racing driver instructor and tutor. Now has Parkinson's and this has led to a racing retirement and he also gave up the team managership of the Kenn Hardley Racing Infiniti Pro-Series team. Lives in Las Vegas. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Billy Pearce | 25 Dec 1876 Pittston, Pennsylvania |
19 Oct 1911 North Sioux City, South Dakota |
USA | 0 (1911) |
Killed in a testing run. Test driver for Colby from 1910 onwards, he broke many track records for them. When he died, Colby ended their racing activities forever. Pearce was also a former blacksmith. (Last updated 23 Jun 2011) |
| Robert Pennebaker | 18 Jan 1887 Garnettsville, Kentucky |
Jan-71 Little Rock, Arkansas |
USA | 0 (1913) |
Obscure entrant of the 1913 Indianapolis 500. An engineer, he invented a number of oil filters and cylinder heads and ran a garage. (Last updated 9 Oct 2011) |
| Joe Perkins | Van Nuys, California |
USA | 0 (1948) |
Also involved in car-building later on in life. Based almost exclusively in California. | |
| Jiggs Peters | 28 Sep 1920 Metuchen, New Jersey |
25 Dec 1993 Pittstown, New Jersey |
USA | 0 (1955) |
Real name Fred, he has been unusually active since death, as his ashes have been taken by a friend to parties and for a ride in a midget car! (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Kelly Petillo | 05 Dec 1903 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
30 Jun 1970 Los Angeles, California |
USA | 10 (1928-1941) |
Died of emphysema. His later life was much troubled, which included spells in jail for alleged rape, stabbing and suspected murder and manslaughter. 1935 Indy 500 winner, his success was probably his undoing, as it made him arrogant and greedy, which in turn made him unpopular with fellow drivers and racefans. Born Cavino Petillo. (Last updated 10 Jan 2012) |
| Jack Petticord | 21 Nov 1900 Wichita, Kansas |
02 Jan 1940 Chicago, Illinois |
USA | 2 (1927-1938) |
Mechanic, who was Canadian dirt track champion, whose career was helped from an inheritance from his uncle's death. Also based in New York, California and Chicago during his career, but actually from Kansas. Mostly in dirt tracks, he survived two serious crashes, including one in 1926 which left him in a coma for a while. Failed to qualify for Indy (but relieved twice), despite a long career and 11 years between his attempts. (Last updated 21 Nov 2012) |
| Nelson Philippe | 23 Jul 1986 Valence |
F | 1 (2009) |
French youngster, who was in and out of CCWS. Appeared in a few events after that, including Grand-Am, but is now retired after injuries sustained in a crash with Will Power led to him losing the enjoyment of racing. Currently president at Group 81, the US distributor of the family run LRG products, but he also runs a health and fitness business. (Last updated 17 May 2011) | |
| Overton Phillips | 20 Sep 1908 Beverly Hills, California |
01 Apr 1999 Santa Barbara, California |
USA | 1 (1937-1941) |
Car builder, who also collected classic cars. |
| T. W. Pickard | 26 Dec 1895 Keighley, West Yorkshire |
28 Jul 1983 San Diego, California, USA |
GB | 0 (1926) |
Later took American citizenship - held dual nationality when he attempted at qualification. Real name was Thomas William. |
| Marvin Pifer | 13 Mar 1928 Adrian, Michigan |
04 May 1974 Adrian, Michigan |
USA | 0 (1952-1956) |
Marvin''s son, of the same name, competed in the same machinery - sprint cars! Marvin himself ran a jeep and Triumph dealership in Adrian, but was diagnosed with MS in 1963. By 1968, he was in a wheelchair, 4 years later he sold his business and 2 years after that, the illness had killed him. Started racing under his brother Aldon''s name. Fought in Korea, and as well as his dealerships, also ran an automotive repair business. (Last updated 4 Oct 2010) |
| Teddy Pilette | 26 Jul 1942 Brussels |
B | 0 (1977-1982) |
Later a constructor in the sport. He appears nowadays at many historic meetings and also has a role in his late father's racing school. He also has many links on the web to historic motorsport. (Last updated 6 Apr 2010) | |
| Theodore Pilette | 08 Sep 1883 St. Gillis |
13 May 1921 Capellen, Luxembourg |
B | 1 (1913) |
Legendary European driver, killed in a road crash. Father of Andre, grandfather of Teddy, who was named Theodore after his grandfather. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Ed Pimm | 03 May 1956 Newburgh, New York |
USA | 3 (1984-1988) |
Now lives in Plain City, where he works as a mechanic, specialising in restoring vintage Porsches. His wife is an author. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Nelson Piquet | 17 Aug 1952 Rio de Janeiro |
BR | 1 (1992-1993) |
His racing career came to a virtual halt in 1992 after a big crash at Indianapolis and he still suffers slightly from the crash injuries. Now a grandfather, he is a successful businessman with a satellite tracking company in Brazil. He also keenly follows and guides his son, Nelson Angelo. Piquet Sr ran the GP2 team which featured his son, but sold it after Nelsinho's progression, but still acts as a consultant. Has now retired, his las race being a win at the Mille Mihila with his son, Bouchut and Castroneves in 2006. Nelson's youngest son Pedro has also started racing! (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Ray Pixley | 01 Feb 1907 Bellingham, Washington |
30 Aug 1936 Robey Speedway, Indiana |
USA | 1 (1936) |
Indy 500 rookie of the year in 1936, he mainly raced in California and the Midwest. Killed in a crash at Hammond, Indiana. Full name was William Raymond, and he worked as a painter. (Last updated 2 Feb 2011) |
| Art Pollard | 05 May 1927 Dragon, Utah |
12 May 1973 Indianapolis, Indiana |
USA | 5 (1966-1973) |
Died after a huge crash in a practice session for the 1973 Indy 500. He was a mechanic and car dealer at the time of his death. |
| Jean (Giovanni) Porporato | 1881 Turin |
unknown |
F/I | 2 (1915-1920) |
Twice made an attempt at Indy, as well as taking part in some other races whilst in the US. However, in his adopted homeland of France, he competed mainly in speed trials and endurance events. Italian born, but lived a long time in Lyon, France. (Last updated 18 Aug 2011) |
| Sam Posey | 26 May 1944 New York City, New York |
USA | 1 (1969-1973) |
Worked for Speedvision (commentated for over 10 years), and still occasionally on TV and also writes, paints and is a railroad expert, but has sadly been in ill-health recently. (Last updated 8 Dec 2012) | |
| Will Power | 01 Mar 1979 Toowoomba, Queensland |
AUS | 5 (2008-2012) |
Was in the CCWS, but has now switched over to the merged IRL series. Still there in 2013. (Last updated 13 Aug 2012) | |
| Ted Prappas | 14 Nov 1955 Santa Monica, California |
USA | 1 (1991-1992) |
Now lives in Arizona, where he does racing driver instructing. Ted, who hasn't raced since he left CART in 1992, got his break in motorsport from an unusual but famous source - his mother used to be business manager for film legend James Stewart and it was he who bought Ted his first racing car - a Super Vee - back in 1983. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) | |
| Ralph Pratt | 17 Mar 1910 Portage, Ohio |
15 Dec 1981 Fayetteville, Pennsylvania |
USA | 0 (1949-1950) |
Midget legend who was Roger Penske's boyhood hero. Perhaps the greatest of them all, he took a colossal 142 wins in 4 years and even won, in the same day, three different races at different tracks in Ohio! (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Willard Prentiss | 10 Dec 1897 Denver, Colorado |
06 Oct 1959 Denver, Colorado |
USA | 1 (1933-1934) |
Competed in both road and speedway races during the 1920's and 1930's, occasionally winning the odd race. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Scott Pruett | 24 Mar 1960 Sacramento, California |
USA | 4 (1989-1995) |
Popular driver who has had a long career at the top. Most recently, he has raced in NASCAR for Ganassi and in Trans-Am, the latter of which he won his third title in 2003. In 2007, he stayed with Ganassi, but in the Grand American Rolex Sportscar Series, starting well, with a Daytona win. He continues in Grand-Am and NASCAR (partly) in 2013 and regained his Daytona title in 2008. He won at Daytona yet again in 2013. (Last updated 28 Jan 2013) | |
| Eddie Pullen | 16 Aug 1883 Trenton, New Jersey |
06 Oct 1940 Los Angeles, California |
USA | 0 (1914-1921) |
A very successful driver, but never made it to Indy's starting grid. A Mercer employee for years, he later worked on production and marketing of the Ruckstell axle. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Bill Puterbaugh | 06 Jun 1936 Indianapolis, Indiana |
USA | 3 (1968-1980) |
Son Billy is now racing in sprint and dirt cars. Bill supports his career and is also an active member of the Indy 500 Oldtimers Club. Bill raced on in USAC events for some while, but is now happily retired. | |
| Al Putnam | 06 May 1910 Tulare, California |
15 Sep 1946 Indianapolis, Indiana |
USA | 6 (1936-1946) |
Killed during qualifying in a dirt-car race. Worked as a research engineer for the LGS Spring Clutch company. His unfortunate widow had already been widowed once before by a racing accident. |
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