December 12, 1936
Wally Dallenbach Sr
Wally Dallenbach Sr
(Photo: Vukie1953 via photopin cc)
Born in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey.
He drove in 180 Indy Car races between 1965 and 1979, winning five times. Dallenbach nearly won the 1975 Indianapolis 500, dueling with A. J. Foyt for many laps. He led for half of the race, but blew 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) due to a heavy rain storm.
He joined CART as competition director in 1980 and became Chief Steward of the sport in 1981, a position he held until 2004. Under his tenure, he improved the safety program in CART. He also established nondenominational church services for drivers and their families.
Dallenbach has been inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, due to his exploits at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and the New Jersey Sports Hall of Fame. Wally was also voted into the American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame, for his work as founder and president of the Colorado 500 Invitational charity motorcycle rides. This event has raised over a million dollars in community support for the town of Basalt, Colorado, located in the Roaring Fork Valley region of western Colorado. Most recently Wally was voted into the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame.
He is the brother of former Pillar of Fire Church superintendent Rev. Robert Dallenbach and father of NASCAR driver and commentator, Wally Dallenbach, Jr. He and his wife, Peppy, reside near the Fryingpan River in upper Basalt and maintain a ranch, fairground, cabins and a private automotive restoration garage.
Born in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey.
He drove in 180 Indy Car races between 1965 and 1979, winning five times. Dallenbach nearly won the 1975 Indianapolis 500, dueling with A. J. Foyt for many laps. He led for half of the race, but blew 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) due to a heavy rain storm.
He joined CART as competition director in 1980 and became Chief Steward of the sport in 1981, a position he held until 2004. Under his tenure, he improved the safety program in CART. He also established nondenominational church services for drivers and their families.
Dallenbach has been inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, due to his exploits at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and the New Jersey Sports Hall of Fame. Wally was also voted into the American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame, for his work as founder and president of the Colorado 500 Invitational charity motorcycle rides. This event has raised over a million dollars in community support for the town of Basalt, Colorado, located in the Roaring Fork Valley region of western Colorado. Most recently Wally was voted into the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame.
He is the brother of former Pillar of Fire Church superintendent Rev. Robert Dallenbach and father of NASCAR driver and commentator, Wally Dallenbach, Jr. He and his wife, Peppy, reside near the Fryingpan River in upper Basalt and maintain a ranch, fairground, cabins and a private automotive restoration garage.
Still hoping for a JOE LEONARD TRIBUTE!!!
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