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Jim McElreath (born February 18, 1928, Arlington, Texas), is a former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series.
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Racing career
He raced in the 1961-1983 seasons, with 178 combined career starts, including 15 in the Indianapolis 500 in 1962-1970, 1973-1974, and 1977-1980. He finished in the top ten 101 times, with five victories. In 1962, he was named Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, a result of his 6th place finish.
Award
McElreath was a 2002 inductee to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.
Personal life
Jim's son, James Jr., was killed in a sprint car crash in 1977. Jim's daughter, Shirley, married Tony Bettenhausen, Jr., with whom she died when their private plane crashed in Kentucky in February, 2000.
Indy 500 results
| Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Kurtis Kraft | Offy | 7th | 6th |
| 1963 | Watson | Offy | 6th | 6th |
| 1964 | Kurtis Kraft | Novi | 26th | 21st |
| 1965 | Brabham | Offy | 16th | 20th |
| 1966 | Brabham | Ford | 7th | 3rd |
| 1967 | Moore | Ford | 11th | 5th |
| 1968 | Coyote | Ford | 13th | 14th |
| 1969 | Brawner Hawk | Offy | 7th | 28th |
| 1970 | Coyote | Ford | 33rd | 5th |
| 1971 | Coyote | Ford | Did Not Qualify | |
| 1972 | Coyote | Foyt | Did Not Qualify | |
| 1973 | Eagle | Offy | 33rd | 23rd |
| 1974 | Eagle | Offy | 30th | 6th |
| 1976 | Eagle | Offy | Did Not Qualify | |
| 1977 | Eagle | AMC | 20th | 23rd |
| 1978 | Eagle | Offy | 26th | 20th |
| 1979 | Penske | Cosworth | 19th | 35th |
| 1980 | Penske | Cosworth | 11th | 24th |
| 1981 | Penske | Cosworth | Sold Car | |
| 1982 | King | Chevrolet | Did Not Qualify |
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bobby Marshman Parnelli Jones |
Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year 1962 |
Succeeded by Jim Clark |
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