Gary Bettenhausen

NOSTINKINWINGS · 3/17/14, 5:22 PM

"The Schmucker" epitomized the open wheel hero of the 70's and 80's. They always had midgets at Manzy when the Indy Cars ran at PIR and Keith Hall would put up $100 for a NTR. One year Bettenhausen took the money being the first car ever under 22 seconds. NOT THE FIRST MIDGET, THE FIRST CAR EVER. He went quicker than the sprint car record that was still in the 22's. Just magical stuff that doesn't occur as much nowadays. His family history was practically a copy of the Vukovich family and the guts that it took to keep on keeping on was immeasurable. RIP GARY

racefanindy · 3/17/14, 6:23 PM

Gary B was a true racer. Condolences to his family & friends. RIP

Pushtruck · 3/17/14, 7:01 PM

A great racer. We will miss you Gary.

Jerry Shaw · 3/17/14, 7:13 PM

If the world had more people who were this talented, yet so humble at the same time, it would definitely be a better place.

Action Tracker · 3/17/14, 7:15 PM

He could have been a company man for Penske; too much of his old man in him for that. I have no idea how many times I saw Gary B. drive a race car, but I loved every one of them. God bless Gary Bettenhausen.

tigerone · 3/17/14, 7:57 PM

Truly a great racer and a hero to all open wheel fans. RIP my friend.

Tony Morris

racing2bwithu2 · 3/17/14, 7:59 PM

Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Bettenhausen Family. R.I.P. Gary

Gregg · 3/17/14, 9:38 PM

The greatest race I ever saw was Winchester 50 lap feature #2 on October 17, 1971. After the Willie Davis sprinter had mechanical problems Gary jumps in the Ben Leyba car with no practice and starts dead last. in the final corner is the race he was third. By the time the checker flew Gary passed Lee Kunzman and Sammy Sessions for the win. I can remember it like it was last Saturday.

Gary was an amazing racer and a supreme talent that will never pass this way again.

http://www.midwestracingarchives.com...inchester.html

scottyCbus · 3/18/14, 12:44 PM

RIP Gary A true racing champion! Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends!

ThrowbackRacingTeam · 3/18/14, 1:45 PM

My favorite memory was at Springfield in 1987 when he drove the Leader Cards #7. One of my favorite drivers
at my favorite track in my all time favorite race car. Memories like that just don't happen anymore. RIP, you are missed.

3/17/14, 6:23 PM	#22 Re: Gary Bettenhausen
racefanindy Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 230	Gary B was a true racer. Condolences to his family & friends. RIP

3/17/14, 7:01 PM	#23 Re: Gary Bettenhausen
Pushtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 288	A great racer. We will miss you Gary.

3/17/14, 7:15 PM	#25 Re: Gary Bettenhausen
Action Tracker Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 77	He could have been a company man for Penske; too much of his old man in him for that. I have no idea how many times I saw Gary B. drive a race car, but I loved every one of them. God bless Gary Bettenhausen.

3/17/14, 7:57 PM	#26 Re: Gary Bettenhausen
tigerone Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,914	Truly a great racer and a hero to all open wheel fans. RIP my friend. Tony Morris

3/17/14, 7:59 PM	#27 Re: Gary Bettenhausen
racing2bwithu2 Senior Member Race Count This Year: 37 Race Count Last Year: 63 Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 5,773	Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Bettenhausen Family. R.I.P. Gary

3/18/14, 12:44 PM	#29 Re: Gary Bettenhausen
scottyCbus Senior Member Race Count This Year: 8 Race Count Last Year: 18 Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 2,833	RIP Gary A true racing champion! Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends!

3/18/14, 1:45 PM	#30 Re: Gary Bettenhausen
ThrowbackRacingTeam Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 962	My favorite memory was at Springfield in 1987 when he drove the Leader Cards #7. One of my favorite drivers at my favorite track in my all time favorite race car. Memories like that just don't happen anymore. RIP, you are missed.