Bobby Ball (racing driver)
Robert Kay Ball (August 26, 1925 – February 27, 1954) was an American racecar driver.[2]
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Born | Robert Kay Ball[1] August 26, 1925 Phoenix, Arizona |
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Died | February 27, 1954 28) Phoenix, Arizona | (aged
Formula One World Championship career | |
Nationality | American |
Active years | 1951–1952 |
Teams | Schroeder, Stevens |
Entries | 2 |
Championships | 0 |
Wins | 0 |
Podiums | 0 |
Career points | 2 |
Pole positions | 0 |
Fastest laps | 0 |
First entry | 1951 Indianapolis 500 |
Last entry | 1952 Indianapolis 500 |
Early life
Ball's parents divorced when he was a year old. He was raised by his grandmother, who enrolled him in a military academy as a teenager in an attempt to take his mind off cars and motorcycles.[2]
Racing career
Ball began racing with the Arizona Roadster Association, subsequently switching from roadsters to midgets. He won the Arizona State Midget Association (ASMA) championship in 1949 and 1950. He finished fifth in the 1951 Indianapolis 500 and 32nd in the 1952 Indianapolis 500.[2]
Ball won the AAA Championship race at San Jose in November 1952.[3] On January 4, 1953, he was involved in an accident at Carrell Speedway in Los Angeles which left him with terrible head injuries. He remained in a coma, first at the UCLA Medical Center and then at home in Phoenix, but died 14 months later of an infection.[2] For many years one of the two championship races held at Phoenix International Raceway was a memorial race dedicated to Ball.
Complete AAA Championship Car results
Year | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Pos | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1950 | INDY |
MIL |
LAN |
SPR |
MIL |
PIK | SYR |
DET |
SPR |
SAC |
PHX 15 |
BAY 12 |
DAR DNQ |
49th | 15 | ||
1951 | INDY 5 |
MIL DNQ |
LAN |
DAR |
SPR |
MIL |
DUQ |
DUQ |
PIK | SYR |
DET |
DNC 5 |
SJS 11 |
PHX 15 |
BAY 13 |
13th | 620 |
1952 | INDY 32 |
MIL 11 |
RAL DNQ |
SPR 15 |
MIL 10 |
DET 9 |
DUQ 6 |
PIK | SYR 3 |
DNC 3 |
SJS 1 |
PHX 3 |
8th | 820 |
Indy 500 results
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Complete Formula One World Championship results
(key)
Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | WDC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1951 | Blakely Oil | Schroeder | Offenhauser L4 | SUI |
500 5 |
BEL |
FRA |
GBR |
GER |
ITA |
ESP |
19th | 2 |
1952 | Ansted Rotary | Stevens | Offenhauser L4 | SUI |
500 32 |
BEL |
FRA |
GBR |
GER |
NED |
ITA |
NC | 0 |
References
- U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
- Gates, Bob (March 2, 2010). "Bobby Ball Could Have Been One Of America's Greats". Turn 3 Media. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
- "Ball Wins 100 Mile Race, James Is Hurt Seriously". The Fresno Bee. 3 November 1952. Retrieved 24 July 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
Records | ||
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Preceded by Andy Linden 29 years, 54 days (1950 Indianapolis 500) |
Youngest driver to score points in Formula One 25 years, 276 days (1951 Indianapolis 500) |
Succeeded by Troy Ruttman 22 years, 80 days (1952 Indianapolis 500) |