Len Zengel

Leonard Joseph Zengel, Sr. (15 March 1887 24 September 1963) was an American racecar driver.

Leonard Joseph Zengel, Sr.
Zengel in 1912
Born(1887-03-15)March 15, 1887
DiedSeptember 24, 1963(1963-09-24) (aged 76)
Other namesLen Zengel
Known for1912 Indianapolis 500

Biography

He was born on 15 March 1887 in Dayton, Ohio to Leonard A. Zengel (1857-1930). His siblings were, George H. Zengel (May 2, 1880-April 1957), Sophia Zengel (August 1882-?), Jennie L. Zengel (December 1884-?), Michael E. Zengel Sr. (July 1889-?), Charlie Zengel (March 14, 1893 – June 27, 1962), Dorothy A. Zengel (January 1899-?), and Murray A. Zengel (July 16, 1895-April 1968).

On October 8, 1910 he won the annual Fairmount Park road race in Philadelphia driving a Chadwick Engineering Works auto.[1][2]

In 1911 he won the Elgin Trophy.[1][3]

He participated in the 1912 Indianapolis 500.[1]

He married Mary L. Howell and had a son, Leonard Joseph Zengel, Jr. (1915-1944) who died in a car accident when he fell asleep at the wheel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[4] He had a daughter, Betty Jean Zengel.[5]

He operated a Chrysler and Plymouth dealership.

He died on 24 September 1963 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania at age 76.

Indy 500 results

References

  1. "Sutz Driver Wears Smile While Speeding". Warsaw Daily Times. May 25, 1912. Retrieved 2012-10-04. Len Zengel, driver of the Stutz entry number two in the second annual 500-mile International Sweepstakes race to be run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway next Memorial Day. Zengel was a member of the National racing team and won the Elgin National Stock Chassis road race in 1911. In 1910 he won the Fairmount Park race in Philadelphia in a Chadwick "Big Six." Billy Knipper will act as relief driver to Zengel in the 500 mile race.
  2. "Zengel Road Race Winner. Contest Closest one in Motor History. Nine Cars Finish". Chicago Tribune. October 9, 1910. Retrieved 2012-10-04. Watched by a half a million people, Len Zengel, driving a Chadwick six, this afternoon won the third annual Fairmount park road race by the closest margin ever recorded in any motor road race in the world, beating Ralph...
  3. "Len Zengel Wins Elgin Trophy. Pilots His National Car Home in the Front Grant, in Alco, Was Second; Hughes, in Mercer, Third. Dave Buck and Sam Jacobs Crew of Pope-Hartford Killed". Atlanta Constitution. August 27, 1911. Retrieved 2012-10-04. Elgin's 305 mile cup race today, won by Len Zengel, in a National, with Harry Grant second and Hughie Hughes third, was not run without its toll of death and injuries.
  4. "Auto Strikes Pole, Sailor is Killed". United Press. October 2, 1944. Gunner's Mate 2/C, Leonard J. Zengel, 33 ...
  5. "Marriages". New York Times. September 13, 1942. Retrieved 2012-10-06. Miss Betty Jean Zengel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Zengel of Rockwood Farm, West Chester, was married yesterday in the Church of the Good Shepherd ...


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