Paul Russo

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Paul Russo (born April 10, 1914 in Kenosha, Wisconsin – July 23, 1976 in Daytona Beach, Florida) was an American racecar driver.

Contents 1 Midget car career 2 Championship car career 3 Career award 4 Indy 500 results 5 World Championship career summary 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Midget car career

He started racing midget cars in 1934. He went with a contigent of midget car drivers to Hawaii in the winter of 1934-35. ^[1] He was the 1938 AAA Eastern Midget Champion. Russo won the first race held at the Nutley Velodrome in New Jersey in 1938. ^[1]

Russo was part of midget racing's "Chicago Gang" with Emil Andres, Tony Bettenhausen, Duke Nalon, Cowboy O'Rourke, Jimmy Snyder, and Wally Zale. ^[1]

[edit] Championship car career

He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1940-1941, 1946-1954, 1956-1959 and 1962 seasons with 85 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in each year but 1951 and 1952. He finished in the top ten 49 times, with 3 victories, at Springfield (1950), Detroit (1951), and Williams Grove (1952). His best finish at Indy was fourth in 1957, although he co-drove with Tony Bettenhausen to a second place finish in 1955. ^[1]

His brother Joe and nephew Eddie have also raced at the Indianapolis 500.

Russo died on February 13, 1976 while in Florida for the Daytona 500. ^[1]

[edit] Career award

• Russo was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1992. ^[1]

[edit] Indy 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired 1940 38 29 120.809 29 28 48 0 Oil leak 1941 45 18 125.217 5 9 200 0 Running 1946 10 2 126.183 4 33 16 0 Crash T3 1947 15 21 123.967 8 28 24 0 Crash FS 1948 25 25 122.595 29 32 7 0 Oil leak 1949 19 19 129.487 5 8 200 0 Running 1950 7 19 130.790 18 9 135 0 Running 1953 7 17 136.219 16 25 89 0 Magneto 1954 5 32 137.678 32 8 200 0 Running 1955* 10 - - - 2  ?  ? Running 1956 29 8 143.546 10 33 21 11 Crash T1 1957 54 10 144.817 1 4 200 24 Running 1958 15 14 142.959 18 18 122 0 Radiator 1959 45 27 142.383 22 9 200 0 Running 1962 62 14 146.687 20 28 20 0 Piston Totals 1482 35

Starts 14 Poles 0 Front Row 1 Wins 0 Top 5 1 Top 10 6 Retired 8

* shared drive with Tony Bettenhausen

[edit] 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. Paul Russo participated in 8 World Championship races. He set 1 fastest lead lap, finished on the podium once and accumulated a total of 8.5 World Championship points.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Biography at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame

[edit] External links

• Paul Russo at Find A Grave