Art Malone

Arthur Malone (June 3, 1936 – March 29, 2013; Tampa, Florida) was an American race car driver who was successful in both drag racing and American open-wheel car racing, an unusual combination of skills.

For the American football running back, see Art Malone (American football).
Art Malone
Born(1936-06-03)June 3, 1936
Tampa, Florida, United States
DiedMarch 29, 2013(2013-03-29) (aged 76)
Tampa, Florida, United States
Achievements1963 AHRA Top Fuel Champion

AHRA Hall of Fame

First driver to exceed 180 mph (290 km/h) on an oval track
NASCAR Cup Series career
2 races run over 2 years
Best finish65th (1962)
First race1961 Old Dominion 500 (Martinsville)
Last race1962 Firecracker 250 (Daytona)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 2 0
Champ Car career
10 races run over 4 years
First race1962 Bobby Ball Memorial (Phoenix)
Last race1965 Tony Bettenhausen 200 (Milwaukee)
Wins Podiums Poles
0 0 0

Career

Malone is known primarily for having been a drag racer and was the 1963 AHRA Top Fuel World champion. In 1959, he drove for Don Garlits. On August 23, 1959, he set a Standard 1320 speed record of 183.66 mph (295.57 km/h).[1] He is in the AHRA Hall of Fame.[2][3]

He was the first to attain 180 miles per hour (290 km/h) at Daytona International Speedway.[4]

Malone also raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1962-1965 seasons, with 10 career starts, including the 1963 and 1964 Indianapolis 500 races. Both years Malone drove cars powered by the legendary Novi engine, owned by Andy Granatelli. He had gained Granatelli's attention after his Daytona record. Art Malone's best finish at Indy came in 1964, where he started the race in 30th position, and finished a very respectable 11th.[5]

Accident and death

Malone was injured in an airboat accident in the early 2010s; failing to fully recover from his injuries, he died on March 29, 2013.[6]

References
  1. "Don Garlits Swamp Rat 1B". Cacklefest. 1959-08-23. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  2. "::: DRO ::: Special Section - Forgotten Hall of Famers PART 2- 1/13/06". Dragracingonline.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  3. Martin, Chris (1956-10-05). "Drag Racing Online". Drag Racing Online. Archived from the original on 18 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  4. "Can the Independents Win at Daytona? (page 90)". Popular Mechanics. 127 (2): 90. Feb 1967. ISSN 0032-4558.
  5. "Art Malone". Champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  6. "Art Malone, 1936-2013". Racer. March 29, 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-31.


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