Don Freeland

Don Freeland (March 25, 1925 – November 2, 2007) was an American racecar driver who is best known for competing in the Indianapolis 500 eight times.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Freeland served in the Navy as a mechanic during World War II. After the war, he began racing. He raced in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series from 1952 to 1962, with 76 career starts. He finished in the top-ten 41 times, with a best finish of second place occurring three times.

Freeland competed in the Indy 500 each year from 1953 to 1960. He appeared headed for a second-place finish in 1955 before a transmission failure ended his day 22 laps prior to the end of the race. He came back with a best Indy finish of third the next year. He also finished in the top-ten in 1954 and 1958.

Freeland died in San Diego, California at age 82.

Complete AAA/USAC Championship Car results Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Pos Points 1952 INDY MIL RAL SPR MIL DET DUQ PIK SYR6 DNC14 SJS PHX 33rd 80 1953 INDY27 MIL16 SPR3 DETDNQ SPR7 MIL5 DUQ12 PIK SYR3 ISF4 SAC17 PHX6 7th 750 1954 INDY7 MIL9 LAN9 DAR18 SPR3 MIL9 DUQ17 PIK SYR2 ISFDNQ SACDNS PHXDNQ LVGDNQ 10th 760 1955 INDY15 MIL12 LAN3 SPR MIL12 DUQ18 PIK SYR13 ISF6 SAC6 PHX16 14th 315.2 1956 INDY3 MIL6 LAN7 DAR10 ATL SPR2 MIL24 DUQ17 SYR11 ISF9 SAC2 PHX13 3rd 1.280 1957 INDY17 LAN13 MILDNQ DET8 ATL6 SPR8 MIL15 DUQ SYR12 ISF16 TRE SACDNQ PHX14 24th 190 1958 TRE INDY7 MILDNQ LAN6 ATL SPR3 MIL21 DUQ9 SYR18 ISF16 TRE14 SACDNQ PHX 13th 560 1959 DAY TRE INDY22 MIL8 LAN8 SPR9 MIL3 DUQ15 SYR17 ISF7 TRE SAC PHX 11th 480 1960 TRE21 INDY22 MILDNQ LAN SPRDNQ MIL4 DUQ SYRDNS ISF TRE SAC PHX 24th 240 1961 TRE INDYDNQ MIL9 LAN MILDNQ SPR DUQ SYR ISF TRE SAC PHX 33rd 40 1962 TRE INDYDNQ MIL LAN TRE11 SPR MIL LAN SYR ISF TRE SAC PHX 32nd 30 1963 TRE INDYDNQMIL LAN TRE SPR MIL DUQ ISF TRE SAC PHX - 0

Indy 500 results

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. Freeland participated in eight World Championship races. He started on the pole 0 times, won 0 races, set 0 fastest laps, and finished on the podium one time He accumulated a total of four championship points.