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| Photo credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway |
This year, I've added a few “bonus” writeups for some
high-numbered cars.
No. 62, Wally Dallenbach, 1973
Olsonite Eagle/Offy. Then calling East Brunswick, N.J., home Dallenbach was
about to enter a major career upswing, though not with Dan Gurney’s All
American Racers. Dallenbach’s oddly numbered No. 62 joined AAR holdovers Bobby
Unser and Jerry Grant for the 1973 500. In the race, Dallenbach is best
remembered for helping rescue Salt Walther from his burning and battered car
after his horrendous first-lap accident. Once the race finally got under way –
two days later – Dallenbach made a nice charge from his 20th
starting position into the top 10 before a broken connecting rod bolt (a common
malady that year) sidelined him after 48 laps, resulting in a 24th-place
finish. Dallenbach joined the STP/Patrick team later in 1973, winning the
California 500 at Ontario Motor Speedway. Save for a one-year sabbatical with
Jerry O’Connell’s Sugaripe Prune team in 1978, Dallenbach remained with Patrick
the rest of his career, retiring after the 1979 season. He returned to the
cockpit in 1981 to qualify a Patrick car for Mario Andretti, who was
unavailable due to Formula One commitments. Dallenbach then enjoyed a second
career as a much-respected official in CART. Finally, I believe this is the
last time No. 62 has been in the 500. #ThisIsMay #Indy500
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