30 Days in May Bonus: No. 62, Wally Dallenbach, 1973 Olsonite Eagle

OK, so this year’s Indianapolis 500 won’t be run in the month of May. For many of us, however, May is more than just a month – it’s a state of mind. So let’s still celebrate great cars and drivers of the past anyway!

 

Photo credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

You just don't see the No. 62 in the Indianapolis 500. But Wally Dallenbach

put this Olsonite Eagle in the show in 1973.

30 Days in May Bonus: No. 62, Wally Dallenbach, 1973 Olsonite Eagle/Offy. Then calling East Brunswick, New Jersey, home Wally 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 (8) and Jerry Grant (48) for the 1973 Indianapolis 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 20^th 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 24^th-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.

After retiring as a driver, Dallenbach enjoyed a second career as a much-respected official in CART. Finally, I believe 1973 is the last time No. 62 was used in the 500. 

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