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]

Danny Kladis
Born(1917-02-10)February 10, 1917
DiedApril 26, 2009(2009-04-26) (aged 92)
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality American
Active years1950–1952, 1954–1955, 1957
TeamsKurtis Kraft, Bromme, Deidt, Maserati
Entries6 (1 start)
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points0
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1950 Indianapolis 500
Last entry1957 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

* 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
Source:[2][3][4]

References
  1. "Oldest former Indy 500 driver dies at 92". Yahoo!. 2009-04-28. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
  2. "Danny Kladis – Involvement". StatsF1. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  3. "Danny Kladis". champcarstats.com. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  4. "Danny Kladis". historicracing.com. Retrieved September 4, 2018.


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