Paul Russo (April 10, 1914 in Kenosha, Wisconsin – February 13, 1976 in Clearwater, Florida) was an American racecar driver.
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Midget car career
He started racing midget cars in 1934. He went with a contingent of midget-car drivers to Hawaii in the winter of 1934-35. [1] He was the 1938 AAA Eastern Midget Champion. Russo won the first race held at the Nutley Velodrome in New Jersey in 1938. [1]
Russo was part of midget racing's "Chicago Gang" with Emil Andres, Tony Bettenhausen, Duke Nalon, Cowboy O'Rourke, Jimmy Snyder, and Wally Zale. [1]
Championship car career
He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1940-1941, 1946-1954, 1956-1959 and 1962 seasons with 85 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in each year but 1951 and 1952. He finished in the top ten 49 times, with 3 victories, at Springfield (1950), Detroit (1951), and Williams Grove (1952). His best finish at Indy was fourth in 1957, although he co-drove with Tony Bettenhausen to a second-place finish in 1955. [1]
His brother Joe and nephew Eddie have also raced at the Indianapolis 500.
Russo died on February 13, 1976 off the coast of Clearwater while in Florida for the Daytona 500. [1]
Career award
- Russo was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1992. [1]
Indy 500 results
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* shared drive with Tony Bettenhausen
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. Paul Russo participated in 8 World Championship races. He set 1 fastest lead lap, finished on the podium once and accumulated a total of 8.5 World Championship points.
References
External links
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