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Wally Dallenbach Sr.

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This article is about the American auto racer and official. For his son, the American auto racer and commentator, see Wally Dallenbach Jr.

Wally Dallenbach Sr.
BornWallace Jacob Dallenbach
(1936-12-12)December 12, 1936
East Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedApril 29, 2024(2024-04-29) (aged 87)
Browns Mills, New Jersey, U.S.
Championship titles
Major victories
California 500 (1973)
Champ Car career
180 races run over 15 years
Best finish2nd (1973)
First race1965 Langhorne 125 (Langhorne)
Last race1979 Miller High Life 150 (Phoenix)
First win1973 Tony Bettenhausen 200
(Milwaukee)
Last win1977 Trenton 200 (Trenton)
Wins Podiums Poles
5 27 1
NASCAR Cup Series career
4 races run over 3 years
Best finish81st (1962)
First race1962 Daytona Qualifier #2 (Daytona)
Last race1974 National 500 (Charlotte)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 1 0

Wallace Jacob Dallenbach (December 12, 1936 – April 29, 2024) was an American racing driver and official. He competed primarily in United States Auto Club (USAC) sanctioned Championship cars,[1][2] and was the winner of the 1973 California 500. After retiring from driving, he served for more than 20 years as Chief Steward of Competition for Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART).

Dallenbach was the father of NASCAR driver and commentator, Wallace Paul Dallenbach. After the younger Dallenbach began a professional racing career during the middle 1980s, the elder Dallenbach came to be known by the retronym Dallenbach Sr.

Biography

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Dallenbach was born in East Brunswick, New Jersey.[3] After working in the construction industry, he began his racing career in modified racing.[4] In 1962, he competed in the Daytona 500.[3] He eventually settled on open-wheel racing, competing in midget and sprint cars before moving to Indy cars in 1965.[5]

Indy car career

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After several years competing in uncompetitive equipment, Dallenbach's breakthrough came after being signed by team owner Pat Patrick to replace driver Swede Savage, badly injured during the 1973 Indianapolis 500. After Savage's death, Dallenbach's seat became permanent. Four races into his tenure with Patrick's team, Dallenbach scored his first victory, the Tony Bettenhausen 200 at the Milwaukee Mile. He scored two further victories in 1973, including the California 500. Despite not starting in four races during the 1973 season, Dallenbach finished the 1973 USAC Championship Car season ranked second in points.[6]

Dallenbach nearly won the 1975 Indianapolis 500, dueling with A. J. Foyt for many laps. He led for half of the race, but burned a piston on lap 162, twelve laps before the race was called due to rain. Bobby Unser won the race, which was halted at lap 174 (435 miles).[7]

CART official

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Dallenbach joined CART as Competition Director in 1980 and became Chief Steward of the series in 1981. Under his tenure, he greatly improved the safety program in CART, the preeminent sanctioning body of Indy car racing. He played an instrumental role in establishing the first dedicated rapid response trauma team in auto racing.[6] He also established nondenominational church services for drivers and their families. Dallenbach held his position until the end of the 2000 season, after which he went into semi-retirement, serving as Special Advisor to CART and Chris Kneifel, his successor as Chief Steward.[8]

Advance testing and practice in preparation for the 2001 Firestone Firehawk 600 – to be held at Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) – saw numerous drivers black out due to unprecedented g-forces experienced at the track. Dallenbach had visited TMS as early as 1996, deeming it unsafe for Indy car competition.[9] On the day of the race, despite pressure from stakeholders within the CART community to proceed with the event, it was decided to cancel to event in order to ensure the safety of the competitors.[6]

Shortly thereafter, Dallenbach returned as Chief Steward for CART, replacing Kneifel, who had been the subject of criticism from many drivers.[10] Dallenbach served until the conclusion of the 2004 season, after which he retired permanently.[6]

Post-racing activities

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Dallenbach served as the president of the Colorado 500 motorcycle charity ride. The events have raised just under three million dollars in community support[11] - including more than $800,000 in student scholarships - for the town of Basalt, Colorado, located in the Roaring Fork Valley region of western Colorado.[12]

With his winnings from the California 500, Dallenbach purchased a ranch, fairground, cabins and a private automotive restoration garage near the Fryingpan River in upper Basalt.[13] In 2023, he sold the property, returning with his wife to New Jersey. During their time in Colorado, the couple supported the development of local emergency services in the area; in 1976, Dallenbach purchased an ambulance for the town of Basalt.[12]

Dallenbach died on April 29, 2024, at the age of 87.[6][14]

Awards and honors

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Dallenbach has been inducted into the following halls of fame:

After his death in 2024, the community of Basalt, Colorado named their newest ambulance after Dallenbach; in 1976 he had purchased the community its first ambulance.[12]

Motorsports career results

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USAC Championship Car results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Rank Points Ref
1965 Joe Barzda Kurtis Offenhauser PHX TRE INDY MIL LAN PIP TRE IRP ATL LAN
13 		MIL
DNQ 		SPR MIL DUQ ISF 37th 80 [22]
Kenny Brenn Meskowski TRE
9 		SAC PHX
1966 Kenny Brenn Meskowski Offenhauser PHX TRE INDY MIL LAN ATL
DNQ 		PIP IRP LAN
13 		SPR MIL
15 		DUQ ISF TRE
11 		SAC 50th 40 [22]
Taasi Vatis Huffaker PHX
24
1967 Taasi Vatis Huffaker Offenhauser PHX
18 		TRE
DNQ 		INDY
29 		MIL
5 		LAN
12 		PIP MOS
12 		MOS
12 		IRP
15 		LAN
4 		MTR
8 		MTR
15 		MIL
21 		DUQ
DNQ 		ISF
DNQ 		TRE
19 		SAC
DNQ 		HAN
17 		PHX
15 		RIV
25 		21st 410 [22]
Vollstedt SPR
17
1968 Taasi Vatis Finley Offenhauser TRE
3 		INDY
17 		MIL
7 		MOS
DNQ 		MOS LAN
15 		PIP CDR MIL
20 		DUQ
DNQ 		TRE
18 		MCH
22 		HAN
23 		PHX
25 		16th 960 [22]
Vollstedt NAZ
11 		IRP IRP SPR
7 		ISF
13 		SAC
9
Huffaker HAN
7 		LVG PHX
4 		LAN
3 		LAN
5
Ford MTR
20 		MTR
Rolla Vollstedt Vollstedt RIV
29
1969 Lindsey Hopkins Eagle Chevrolet CDR
8 		RIV
7 		6th 1795 [22]
Offenhauser PHX
2 		HAN
5 		INDY
21 		MIL
20 		LAN
3 		PIP TRE
2 		IRP
DNS 		IRP
DNQ 		MIL
18 		DOV
14 		DUQ
Wth 		ISF
DNQ 		BRN BRN TRE
10 		PHX
3
Kuzma SPR
7
Vollstedt SAC
9 		KEN KEN
Kenny Brenn Meskowski NAZ
5
1970 Lindsey Hopkins Eagle Ford PHX
4 		18th 620 [22]
Offenhauser PHX
10 		SON TRE
17 		INDY
17 		MIL
8 		LAN
7 		CDR MCH
16 		IRP
5 		SPR MIL
9 		ONT
28 		DUQ ISF
DNQ 		SED
Kuzma TRE
15 		SAC
1971 Lindsey Hopkins Kuzma Offenhauser RAF RAF PHX
7 		TRE
2 		INDY
24 		MIL
4 		MCH
4 		MIL
4 		ONT
23 		TRE
9 		10th 1220 [22]
Kenyon Ford POC
15
Vollstedt Enterprises Vollstedt PHX
11
1972 Lindsey Hopkins Eagle Offenhauser PHX
9 		TRE
6 		13th 720 [22]
Andy Granatelli Lola Foyt INDY
15 		MIL
DNQ 		MCH
2 		POC
14 		MIL
DNQ 		ONT
21 		TRE
7 		PHX
24
1973 Patrick Racing Eagle Offenhauser TWS TRE TRE MIL
4 		POC
29 		MCH
6 		MIL
1 		ONT
1 		ONT ONT
1 		MCH
23 		MCH TRE
3 		TWS
6 		PHX
2 		2nd 2620 [22]
Oscar Olson INDY
24
1974 Patrick Racing Eagle Offenhauser ONT
7 		ONT ONT
6 		PHX
6 		TRE
13 		INDY
30 		MIL
15 		POC
10 		MCH
6 		MIL
3 		MCH
11 		TRE
3 		TRE
12 		PHX
18 		9th 1445 [22]
1975 Patrick Racing Eagle Offenhauser ONT ONT
1 		ONT
10 		PHX
6 		TRE
5 		MIL
4 		4th 2305 [22]
Wildcat DGS INDY
9 		MIL
4 		POC
2 		MCH
19 		MCH
16 		TRE
5 		PHX
12
1976 Patrick Racing Wildcat DGS PHX
16 		TRE
6 		INDY
4 		MIL
12 		POC
3 		MCH
20 		TWS
2 		TRE
4 		MIL
17 		ONT
4 		MCH
3 		TWS
6 		PHX
4 		3rd 3105 [22]
1977 Patrick Racing Wildcat DGS ONT
18 		PHX
10 		TWS
3 		TRE
1 		INDY
4 		MIL
15 		POC
4 		MOS
16 		MCH
8 		TWS
17 		MIL
3 		ONT
20 		MCH
3 		PHX
6 		6th 2635 [22]
1978 Jerry O'Connell McLaren Cosworth PHX
14 		ONT
9 		TWS
4 		TRE
11 		INDY
5 		MOS
11 		MIL
3 		POC
4 		MCH
3 		ATL
9 		TWS
4 		MIL
7 		ONT
10 		MCH
11 		SIL
14 		BRH
5 		PHX
6 		6th 2966 [22]
Lightning TRE
6
1979 Patrick Racing Penske Cosworth ONT TWS INDY
27 		MIL POC TWS MIL NC 0 [22]
1981–82 Patrick Racing Wildcat Cosworth INDY
Rpl 		POC ILL DUQ ISF INDY NC 0 [22]

CART Championship Car results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Rank Points Ref
1979 Patrick Racing Wildcat Offenhauser PHX
12 		9th 1149 [22]
Cosworth PHX
7
Lightning ATL
11 		ATL
8
Penske INDY
27 		TRE
4 		TRE
2 		MCH
5 		MCH
10 		WGL
14 		TRE
4 		ONT
24 		MCH
6 		ATL
4

Indianapolis 500 results

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Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired
1967 53 15 163.540 19 29 73 0 Crash FS
1968 54 12 165.548 12 17 148 0 Engine
1969 22 19 166.497 19 21 82 7 Clutch
1970 22 24 165.601 31 17 143 0 Coil
1971 22 23 171.159 17 24 69 0 Valve
1972 40 33 181.626 18 15 182 0 Flagged
(substitute driver for Art Pollard)
1973 62 20 190.200 26 24 48 0 Broken rod
1974 40 2 189.683 3 30 3 2 Piston
1975 40 21 190.648 4 9 162 96 Piston
1976 40 7 184.445 12 4 101 3 Flagged
1977 40 10 189.563 13 4 199 0 Flagged
1978 6 7 195.233 9 5 195 0 Flagged
1979 6 7 188.285 8 27 43 0 Lost wheel
1981 Substitute qualifier for Mario Andretti
Totals[23] 1448 108
Starts 13
Poles 0
Front row 1
Wins 0
Top 5s 3
Top 10s 4
Retired 9
  • In 1972, Dallenbach was bumped on the final day of time trials. Art Pollard crashed his qualified car on May 16, and was too injured to drive on race day. Dallenbach was hired to fill the seat, and the car was moved to 33rd starting position.[24]

References

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  1. ^ via Associated Press. "Second Time Around", St. Petersburg Times, May 24, 1972. Accessed February 13, 2011. "Wally Dallenbach, a 36-year old veteran driver from East Brunswick, N.J., will get a chance to compete in the 56th running of the Indianapolis 500-mile race after all."
  2. ^ "Wally Dallenbach". www.champcarstats.com.
  3. ^ a b c "Wally Dallenbach Sr". www.mshf.com. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  4. ^ Brown, Allen. "Wally Dallenbach". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  5. ^ Brown, Nathan. "Wally Dallenbach, IndyCar race-winner and former CART chief steward, dies at 87". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Wally Dallenbach 1936 – 2024". RACER. April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  7. ^ "1975 Indianapolis 500". Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  8. ^ "CHAMPCAR/CART: Wally Dallenbach To Retire At End of Season". Motorsport. April 9, 1999. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  9. ^ "CART and the Race that Never Was". NBC Sports. April 29, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  10. ^ "Dallenbach to return as CART's chief steward for 2002". Autoweek. January 28, 2002. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  11. ^ The Colorado 500 Online
  12. ^ a b c Report, Aspen Daily News Staff (May 1, 2024). "Philanthropist, former racer dies at age 87". Aspen Daily News. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  13. ^ Condon, Scott (June 3, 2023). "Dallenbach family sells iconic Fryingpan Ranch". Aspen Daily News. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  14. ^ "Hall of Famer Wally Dallenbach, 87". speedsport.com. Turn 3 Media, LLC. April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  15. ^ "Eastern Motorsports Press Association – Hall of Fame". empamedia.com. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  16. ^ "Wally Dallenbach, Sr. | Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame". Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  17. ^ "CHAMPCAR/CART: Dallenbach named to New Jersey HoF". Motorsport. February 21, 2004. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  18. ^ "AMA Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame | Wally Dallenbach, Sr". hof.motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  19. ^ "Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame | CMHF Class of 2022 Induction Gala Report & Gallery". Retrieved April 30, 2024. Dallenbach will be considered a Class of 2021 member.
  20. ^ "Wally Dallenbach". IMS Museum. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  21. ^ "Hall of Fame". Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Wally Dallenbach – Career Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  23. ^ "Wally Dallenbach | Driver Details | Indianapolis 500 Historical Stats". www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  24. ^ "Final chance to map battle plans at Indy". The Southeastern Missourian. May 19, 1972. Retrieved November 6, 2013.

Further reading

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