Danny Kladis
Danny Kladis (10 February 1917 – 26 April 2009) was an American racecar driver. He was born in Crystal City, Missouri and died at Joliet, Illinois.[1] 92-year-old Kladis was the oldest living Indy 500 starter at the time of his death.[1]
Born | February 10, 1917 |
---|---|
Died | April 26, 2009 92) | (aged
Formula One World Championship career | |
Nationality | |
Active years | 1950–1952, 1954–1955, 1957 |
Teams | Kurtis Kraft, Bromme, Deidt, Maserati |
Entries | 6 (1 start) |
Championships | 0 |
Wins | 0 |
Podiums | 0 |
Career points | 0 |
Pole positions | 0 |
Fastest laps | 0 |
First entry | 1950 Indianapolis 500 |
Last entry | 1957 Indianapolis 500 |
Racing career
Kladis started racing in midget cars in 1935.[1] He stopped racing in the 1940s when all racing in the United States stopped for World War II. During the war, he was a pilot in the United States Army.[1] After the war, he started in the 1946 Indianapolis 500 for Andy Granatelli and finished 21st.[1] He drove 50 laps as a relief driver for Spider Webb in the 1954 Indianapolis 500.[1] Kladis attempted to make the field until the 1957 Indianapolis 500 but was unsuccessful.[1]
Career awards
Kladis was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2007.[1]
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. In the 1954 Indianapolis 500, Danny Kladis drove in relief of Spider Webb. As a result of this shared ride, Kladis participated in 1 World Championship race but scored no World Championship points.
Personal life
Kladis was the father of seven children:[1] George, Joanne, Carole, Ciciela, Christopher, Danny Jr, and Michael.
Racing record
Indy 500 results
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* shared drive with Spider Webb
Complete Formula One World Championship results
(key)
Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | WDC | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1950 | Federal Engineering | Maserati 8CTF | Maserati 3.0 L8s | GBR | MON | 500 DNQ |
SUI | BEL | FRA | ITA | NC | 0 | ||
1951 | Trainor Chicago | Trainor Special | Miller L6s | SUI | 500 DNQ |
BEL | FRA | GBR | GER | ITA | ESP | NC | 0 | |
1952 | Tuffanelli-Derrico | Deidt Tuffanelli Derrico | Offenhauser 4.5 L4 | SUI | 500 DNQ |
BEL | FRA | GBR | GER | NED | ITA | NC | 0 | |
1954 | Advance Muffler | Bromme D | Offenhauser 4.5 L4 | ARG | 500 30 |
BEL | FRA | GBR | GER | SUI | ITA | ESP | NC | 0 |
1955 | Roy McKay | Kurtis Kraft 3000 | Offenhauser 4.5 L4 | ARG | MON | 500 DNQ |
BEL | NED | GBR | ITA | NC | 0 | ||
1957 | Morgan Engineering | Maserati 4CLT/48 | Maserati 4CLT 1.5 L4s | ARG | MON | 500 DNQ |
FRA | GBR | GER | PES | ITA | NC | 0 | |
Safety Auto Glass | Mercedes W154 | Jaguar 3.4 L6 | 500 DNQ |
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References
- "Oldest former Indy 500 driver dies at 92". Yahoo!. 2009-04-28. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
- "Danny Kladis – Involvement". StatsF1. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
- "Danny Kladis". champcarstats.com. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
- "Danny Kladis". historicracing.com. Retrieved September 4, 2018.