Pete DePaolo

Peter DePaolo (April 6, 1898 – November 26, 1980) was an American racing driver who is remembered as one of the greatest racers of his generation. He won the 1925 Indianapolis 500, and was a two-time National Champion, winning in 1925 and 1927.

Early life

Peter DePaolo was born on April 6, 1898, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pete saw his first race in 1919, where he watched his uncle Ralph DePalma win from Pete's perch as DePalma's riding mechanic. DePaolo did not consider it his greatest win because he'd been relieved for 21 laps.

DePaolo founded his own team in 1927 and finished second in the 1927 Indianapolis 500, and added two wins on his way to the series' driver's championship.

In 1934, DePaolo drove the Harry Miller four-wheel-drive car in races throughout Europe and Africa. At the AVUS course, near Berlin, while leading the race in a downpour, his engine threw two connecting rods which narrowly missed hitting Adolf Hitler in his trackside box seat.

DePaolo announced his retirement on October 17, 1934 on the birthday of his son, Tommy. Following an accident at a race in Barcelona, Spain where he crashed into a curb rather than hit children playing in the streets, he fell unconscious. He remained unconscious for almost two weeks and on three occasions, it was believed he would not recover. He came through and decided to retire for his family rather than lose his life.

Car owner

DePaolo was car owner and team manager for Kelly Petillo's 1935 Indianapolis 500 victory.

DePaolo was a successful NASCAR team owner from 1955 to 1957. His drivers finished second, third, and second in the final points standings during those seasons. His drivers accumulated 21 wins and 109 Top 10 finishes in 178 starts. The team later became Holman-Moody. In the book, he wrote that racing on a board track was "a great sensation, tearing around a board speedway dodging holes and flying timber." DePaolo Court in Roseland is named after him.

DePaolo died on November 26, 1980, at age 82.

Awards and honors

DePaolo has been inducted into the following halls of fame: Auto Racing Hall of Fame (1963) Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1995) National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (1995)

DePaolo has been awarded the following honors: Automotive Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Citation (1969)

Motorsports career results

Indianapolis 500 results