Dan Peter Kladis (February 10, 1917 or February 10, 1916 – April 26, 2009) was an American racing driver.[1][2] 92-year-old Kladis was the oldest living Indianapolis 500 starter at the time of his death.[3]

Danny Kladis
BornDan Peter Kladis
(1917-02-10)February 10, 1917
Crystal City, Missouri, U.S.
DiedApril 26, 2009(2009-04-26) (aged 92)
Joliet, Illinois, U.S.
Champ Car career
4 races run over 9 years
First race1946 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Last race1956 Rex Mays Classic (Milwaukee)
Wins Podiums Poles
0 0 0
Formula One World Championship career
Active years19501952, 19541955, 1957
TeamsMaserati, Miller, Diedt, Bromme, Kurtis Kraft
Entries6 (1 start)
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points0
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1950 Indianapolis 500
Last entry1957 Indianapolis 500

Racing career

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Kladis began his racing career in midget cars during 1935.[3] When auto racing in the United States resumed after the Second World War, Kladis started in the 1946 Indianapolis 500, driving for Andy Granatelli; Kladis finished 21st.[3]

Kladis drove 50 laps as a relief driver for Spider Webb during the 1954 Indianapolis 500.[3] Kladis attempted to make the 500 field until the 1957 Indianapolis 500 but was often unsuccessful.[3]

World Drivers' Championship career

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The AAA/USAC-sanctioned Indianapolis 500 was included in the FIA World Drivers' Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indianapolis during those years were credited with World Drivers' Championship participation, and were eligible to score WDC points alongside those which they may have scored towards the AAA/USAC National Championship.

Kladis participated in one World Drivers' Championship race at Indianapolis. He relieved Spider Webb, finishing in 30th place.[1] He scored no World Drivers' Championship points.

Personal life

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While Kladis' birth date on most documents is 1917, on his WWII draft card it is given as 1916. He served as a pilot in the United States Army Air Corps during the War.[3]

He was the father of seven children:[3] George, Joanne, Carole, Ciciela, Christopher, Danny Jr, and Michael.

Awards and honors

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Kladis was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2007.[3]

Motorsports career results

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Indianapolis 500 results

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* shared drive with Spider Webb

FIA World Drivers' Championship results

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(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 WDC Pts
1950 Federal Engineering Maserati 8CTF Maserati 3.0 L8 s GBR MON 500
DNQ
SUI BEL FRA ITA NC 0
1951 Trainor Chicago Trainor Special Miller L6 s SUI 500
DNQ
BEL FRA GBR GER ITA ESP NC 0
1952 Tuffanelli-Derrico Diedt Tuffanelli Derrico Offenhauser 4.5 L4 SUI 500
DNQ
BEL FRA GBR GER NED ITA NC 0
1954 Advance Muffler Bromme D Offenhauser 4.5 L4 ARG 500
30
BEL FRA GBR GER SUI ITA ESP NC 0
1955 Roy McKay Kurtis Kraft 3000 Offenhauser 4.5 L4 ARG MON 500
DNQ
BEL NED GBR ITA NC 0
1957 Morgan Engineering Maserati 4CLT/48 Maserati 4CLT 1.5 L4 s ARG MON 500
DNQ
FRA GBR GER PES ITA NC 0
Safety Auto Glass Mercedes W154 Jaguar 3.4 L6 500
DNQ
Source:[4][5]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Danny Kladis". champcarstats.com. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  2. ^ Brown, Allen. "Danny Kladis". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Oldest former Indy 500 driver dies at 92". Yahoo!. April 28, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2009.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Danny Kladis – Involvement". StatsF1. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  5. ^ "Danny Kladis". historicracing.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2018.