Education
He finished in the top ten 74 times, with 21 victories.
Formula One driver motorcycle racer racecar driver
He finished in the top ten 74 times, with 21 victories.
Bettenhausen was nicknamed the "Tinley Park Express" in honor of his hometown. "Tunney" later became "Tony."
Bettenhausen was part of the midget car "Chicago Gang" with Emil Andres, Cowboy O"Rourke, Paul Russo, Jimmy Snyder, and Wally Zale. They toured tracks in the Midwest and East Coast of the United States.
Midget cars
Industry cars
He drove in the American Automobile Association and Universal Service Administrative Company Championship Carolina series, racing in the 1941 and 1946-1961 seasons with 121 starts, including 14 in the Indianapolis 500.
He announced his retirement from all racing but the Indianapolis 500 after the season. He decided to return full-time for the 1954 season.
He was involved in a midget car wreck in Chicago, suffering head injuries after striking a concrete wall. He was in critical condition for several days.
They finished second.
He was assured the title with a second-place finish at Phoenix. He finished second in the national championship to Rodger Ward in 1959. Death
Bettenhausen was killed in 1961 in a crash at Indianapolis while testing a Stearly Motor Freight Special vehicle for Paul Russo.
The car smashed into the outside wall of the track and then rolled 325 feet along the barrier.
The car came to rest in a grassy plot between the wall and Grandstand A, with the tail of the car on fire. Results showed the accident was caused by an anchor bolt which fell off the front radius rod support, allowing the front axle to twist and misalign the front wheels when the brakes were applied, which drove the car into the wall.
(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
† Indicates shared drive with Joie Chitwood after retiring his own car. * Indicates shared drive with Chuck Stevenson and Gene Hartley.
‡ Indicates shared drive with Duane Carter, Marshall Teague and Jimmy Jackson after retiring his own car. џ Indicates shared drive with Paul Russo.
Bettenhausen was the father of Gary Bettenhausen, Tony Bettenhausen, Junior. and Merle Bettenhausen.