Jim Hurtubise
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Jim Hurtubise (born December 5, 1932 - died January 6, 1989) was an American race car driver who raced in USAC Champ Cars (including the Indianapolis 500), as well as sprint cars and stock cars (USAC and NASCAR). He was from North Tonawanda, New York. Despite his limited success, he was a fan favorite throughout much of his career as many characterized him as an "old style" racecar driver[citation needed].
Hurtubise raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1959-1968 and 1970-1974 seasons, with 97 career starts. He finished in the top ten 38 times, with 4 victories, in 1959 at Sacramento, 1960 at Langhorne, and 1961 and 1962 at Springfield[citation needed]. In 1964, after suffering serious burns in an accident during the Rex Mays Classic, in Milwaukee, doctors asked Hurtubise how he wanted his hands shaped permanently. "Just make 'em so I can hold a steering wheel," he replied[citation needed].
Hurtubise died January 6, 1989 after suffering a heart attack near his home in Port Arthur, Texas He was 56 years old.
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[edit] Indianapolis 500
Hurtubise ran in ten Indianapolis 500 races between 1960 and 1974. His best finish was a 13th in 1962. In 1972 he ran out fuel, but was towed through the infield, which resulted in his disqualification. In the 1968 race, he ran the last front engined car to date in the race. He attempted to qualify a front engined car for the Indy 500 every year from 1975 to 1981 but failed to do so in each of those years. In one of those years, on "bump day", he put his Miller Beer sponsored car in line to make a qualification attempt shortly before the closing deadline. The time expired before it was his turn to qualify. He then removed the engine cover to reveal that the car had no engine, but a cooler filled with his sponsor's product, which he shared with the other pit crews and race officials[citation needed]. In 1978, he did not meet the certified speed and was denied an attempt to make the race. He sat in Bob Harkey’s car and locked the brakes. He then ran on the track until he was apprehended by the police. But by 1979, was in USAC's good graces.
[edit] Indy 500 results
| Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Christian | Offy | 23rd | 18th |
| 1961 | Epperly | Offy | 3rd | 22nd |
| 1962 | Trevis | Offy | 29th | 13th |
| 1963 | Kurtis Kraft | Novi | 2nd | 22nd |
| 1964 | Hurtubise | Offy | 11th | 14th |
| 1965 | Kurtis Kraft | Novi | 23rd | 33rd |
| 1966 | Kurtis Kraft | Offy | 22nd | 17th |
| 1967 | Mallard | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1968 | Mallard | Offy | 30th | 30th |
| 1969 | Mallard | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1970 | Mallard | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1971 | Mallard | Offy | Qualifying Crash | |
| 1972 | Coyote | Foyt | 13th | 23rd |
| 1973 | Lola | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1974 | Lola | Offy | 28th | 25th |
| 1975 | Eagle | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1976 | Mallard | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1977 | Mallard | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1978 | Mallard | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1979 | Mallard | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1980 | Mallard | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1981 | King | Offy | Failed to Qualify |
[edit] World Championship career summary
The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Jerry Hoyt participated in 1 World Championship race, but scored no World Championship points.
[edit] NASCAR career
| Born: | December 5, 1932 | |
| Birthplace: |  North Tonawanda, New York |
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| Died: | January 9, 1989 (aged 56) | |
| Cause of Death: | Heart attack | |
| Achievements: | — | |
| Awards: | National Sprint Car Hall of Fame 1993 Inductee | |
| NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Statistics | ||
| 36 races run over 13 years. | ||
| Best Cup Position: | 46th - 1968 (Grand National) | |
| First Race: | 1957 Ascot Stadium race | |
| Last Race: | 1977 Delaware 500 (Dover) | |
| First Win: | 1966 Atlanta 500 (Atlanta) | |
| Last Win: | 1966 Atlanta 500 (Atlanta) | |
| Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
| 1 | 11 | 0 |
In 1957, Hurtubise started his NASCAR career running two races. Over the next twenty years, he would race 36 races, winning one race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and amassing eleven top ten finishes[citation needed].
[edit] Award
He was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1993.
