Andy Linden (racing driver)

Andrew Logan "Andy" Linden[1] (April 5, 1922 – February 11, 1987) was an American racecar driver.

Andy Linden
BornAndrew Logan Linden
(1922-04-05)April 5, 1922
Brownsville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedFebruary 11, 1987(1987-02-11) (aged 64)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Champ Car career
66 races run over 8 years
Years active1950–1957
Best finish5th – 1955
First race1950 Langhorne 100 (Langhorne)
Last race1957 Golden State 100 (Sacramento)
Wins Podiums Poles
0 4 3
Formula One World Championship career
Active years19501957
TeamsSherman, Kurtis Kraft, Bromme, Stevens, Schroeder, Nichels
Entries8 (7 starts)
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points5
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1950 Indianapolis 500
Last entry1957 Indianapolis 500

Early life and military service

edit

Linden was born on April 5, 1922, in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. He served in the United States Navy, where he was a standout boxer, and the National Guard.[2][3][4][which?] He also rode hot rods in Los Angeles, California.

Career

edit

He raced with great success until a 1957 crash caused a piece of metal to break his helmet, causing career ending brain damage.[5][6] He is also technically a former Formula One World Championship driver, as the Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960, meaning that drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Linden thus participated in 7 World Championship races, accumulating a total of 5 championship points.

in 2013, he was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.[4]

He died in Harbor City, California, on February 11, 1987, and is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood.[7]

Indy 500 results

edit
Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired
1951 57 31 132.226 26 4 200 0 Running
1952 9 2 137.002 4 33 20 0 Oil leak
1953 32 5 136.060 19 33 3 0 Crash T3
1954 74 23 137.820 28 25 165 0 Torsion bar
1955 19 8 139.098 22 6 200 0 Running
1956 5 9 143.056 11 27 90 0 Oil leak
1957 73 12 143.244 5 5 200 0 Running
Totals 878 0
Starts 7
Poles 0
Front Row 1
Wins 0
Top 5 2
Top 10 3
Retired 4

References

edit
  1. ^ "Andy Linden". www.champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  2. ^ "Death Notices: Linden, Andy L.", Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, February 12, 1987, Part II (Metro Section), page 4. (subscription required)
  3. ^ "Who's Who of Racing Will Gun Midgets Here Sunday", The Terre Haute Star, Terre Haute, Indiana, volume 108, number 213, October 5, 1957, page 10. (subscription required)
  4. ^ a b Brogan, Norm. "Andy Linden", 2013 Inductees, National sprint car racing hall of fame.
  5. ^ Where Are They Now? – Andy Linden
  6. ^ "Andy Linden Critically Injured In Auto Race", Messenger and Inquirer, Owensboro, Kentucky, number 309, November 5, 1957, page 14. (subscription required)
  7. ^ State of California Death Certificate
Records
Preceded by Youngest driver to score
points in Formula One

29 years, 54 days
(1951 Indianapolis 500)
Succeeded by