Dick Rathmann
Encyclopedia
Dick Rathmann was an American
racecar driver.
He drove in the AAA
Championship Car series in the 1949 and 1950 seasons with 4 starts, including the 1950 Indianapolis 500
. He finished in the top ten once, in 6th position at Milwaukee in 1950.
In 1951, he moved to NASCAR
, where he was a very successful Grand National
driver through 1955.
In 1956, he returned to the USAC
Championship Car series, racing in the 1956-1964 seasons with an additional 41 starts, including the Indianapolis 500
races in 1956 and 1958-1964. He finished in the top ten 21 more times, with his best finish in 2nd position in 1959 at Daytona.
Dick sat on the pole for the 1958 Indianapolis 500
. On the first lap, he and fellow front-row starter Ed Elisian
raced into turn 3 and started a chain-reaction accident which involved 15 cars and cost the life of Pat O'Connor
. With that accident, Rathmann became the first Indy pole-sitter to complete no laps. This feat has been repeated only twice in Indy history, first by Roberto Guerrero
and then by Scott Sharp
.
Dick was the elder brother of 1960 Indianapolis 500
winner Jim Rathmann
. Jim and Dick switched names in 1946 so that his younger brother could enter a race while underage. For what was supposed to be a short time, he adopted the name "Dick" and his brother adopted the name "Jim." The name change stuck for life.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
racecar driver.
He drove in the AAA
American Automobile Association
AAA , formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is a federation of 51 independently operated motor clubs throughout North America. AAA is a not-for-profit member service organization with more than 51 million members. AAA provides services to its members such as travel, automotive,...
Championship Car series in the 1949 and 1950 seasons with 4 starts, including the 1950 Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
. He finished in the top ten once, in 6th position at Milwaukee in 1950.
In 1951, he moved to NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
, where he was a very successful Grand National
NEXTEL Cup
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing . The series was originally known as the Strictly Stock Series and Grand National Series . While leasing its naming rights to R. J...
driver through 1955.
In 1956, he returned to the USAC
United States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
Championship Car series, racing in the 1956-1964 seasons with an additional 41 starts, including the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
races in 1956 and 1958-1964. He finished in the top ten 21 more times, with his best finish in 2nd position in 1959 at Daytona.
Dick sat on the pole for the 1958 Indianapolis 500
1958 Indianapolis 500
The 1958 Indianapolis 500 was an automobile race held on Friday, May 30, 1958 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event was the fourth round of the 1958 World Drivers' Championship....
. On the first lap, he and fellow front-row starter Ed Elisian
Ed Elisian
Ed Elisian was an American racing driver, mainly competing in the National Championship...
raced into turn 3 and started a chain-reaction accident which involved 15 cars and cost the life of Pat O'Connor
Pat O'Connor (auto racer)
Pat O'Connor was an American racecar driver. He was killed in a 15-car pileup, after sustaining a fatal head injury after rolling his car and catching fire on the first lap of the 1958 Indianapolis 500.He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in May 1958 adding to the legend of the Sports...
. With that accident, Rathmann became the first Indy pole-sitter to complete no laps. This feat has been repeated only twice in Indy history, first by Roberto Guerrero
Roberto Guerrero
Roberto José Guerrero Isaza is a former racing driver from Colombia. He participated in 29 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 23 January 1982...
and then by Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp is an American race car driver in the American Le Mans Series. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Scott Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing League....
.
Dick was the elder brother of 1960 Indianapolis 500
1960 Indianapolis 500
The 1960 Indianapolis 500 was an automobile race held at Indianapolis on Monday, May 30, 1960. The event was part of the 1960 World Drivers' Championship; the last Indianapolis 500 to be included in the Championship.- Classification :...
winner Jim Rathmann
Jim Rathmann
Jim Rathmann was an American race car driver who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1960....
. Jim and Dick switched names in 1946 so that his younger brother could enter a race while underage. For what was supposed to be a short time, he adopted the name "Dick" and his brother adopted the name "Jim." The name change stuck for life.
World Championship career summary
The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Dick Rathmann participated in 5 World Championship races. He started on the pole once and accumulated a total of 2 World Championship points.Indy 500 results
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