Wally Dallenbach Sr. was an Indy car champion and Hall of Fame racer who, as Chief Stewart of Competition for Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) for more than 20 years, pushed for new safety reforms still used today.
- Died: April 29, 2024 (Who else died on April 29?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 87.
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Wally Dallenbach Sr.’s legacy
Wally Dallenbach Sr. got his start in competition racing midget cars and sprints, moving to IndyCar racing in 1965. He competed in 13 Indianapolis 500 races, earning three top 5 finishes, and in 1975 led the race for 96 of 162 laps before engine troubles dropped him from the front. Overall, Dallenbach won five races in his career, along with 27 podium finishes.
After his retirement in 1979, Dallenbach became Chief Steward of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART). There, he made his biggest impact on racing. His focus was on improving safety standards. He and Carl Horton created the AMR Safety Team, a first response team. He also spearheaded the series’ mobile medical trailer and consistent team of doctors and other medical personnel, ensuring there are always adequate facilities on-site at races.
He has been inducted into a number of halls of fame, including the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, and Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey, along with the Eastern Motorsport Press Association, Colorado Motorsports, Motorcycle, Canadian Motorsport, and Pikes Peak Hill Climb Museum halls of fame.
Dallenbach’s contributions to the sport are chronicled in Gordon Kirby’s book, “Wally Dallenbach: Steward of the Sport.” He is the father of Wally Dallenbach Jr., NASCAR racer and commentator.
Tributes to Wally Dallenbach, Sr.
Full obituary: Racer
