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Dick Rathmann
Dick Rathmann
Dick Rathmann
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James Merwin "Dick" Rathmann (January 6, 1926[1] – February 1, 2000) was an American racing driver.

Key Information

Rathmann and his younger brother swapped names while teenagers. He was an 18-year-old going by the name of Jim Rathmann, when his brother wanted to start racing. To help him enter races, he traded I.D.s with him, and assumed the identity of "Dick Rathmann."[2] The name change stuck for life in public circles.

He drove in the AAA Championship Car series in the 1949 and 1950 seasons with 4 starts, including the 1950 Indianapolis 500. He finished in the top ten once, in 6th position at Milwaukee in 1950.

In 1951, he moved to NASCAR, where he was a very successful Grand National driver through 1955.

In 1956, he returned to the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1956–1964 seasons with an additional 41 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1956 and 1958–1964. He finished in the top ten 21 more times, with his best finish in 2nd position in 1959 at Daytona.

Rathmann sat on the pole for the 1958 Indianapolis 500. On the first lap, he and fellow front-row starter Ed Elisian raced into turn 3 and started a chain-reaction accident which involved 15 cars and claimed the life of Pat O'Connor. With that accident, Rathmann became the first Indy pole-sitter to complete no laps. This feat has been repeated only twice in Indy history, first by Roberto Guerrero and then by Scott Sharp.

Rathmann was the elder brother of 1960 Indianapolis 500 winner Jim Rathmann. The two switched names in 1946 so his younger brother could enter a race while underage. For what was supposed to be a short time, he adopted the name "Dick" and his brother adopted the name "Jim". The change stuck for life.

In 2009, Rathmann was inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame.[3]

World Championship career summary

[edit]

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. Dick Rathmann participated in 5 World Championship races. He started on the pole once and accumulated a total of 2 World Championship points.

Racing record

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American open-wheel racing

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

USAC Championship Car

[edit]
Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pos Points
1949 ARL INDY MIL TRE SPR MIL DUQ PIK SYR DET SPR LAN SAC
17 		DMR
DNQ 		– 0
1950 INDY
32 		MIL
6 		LAN
13 		SPR MIL PIK SYR DET SPR SAC PHX BAY DAR 35th 80
1956 INDY
5 		MIL
21 		LAN
15 		DAR
15 		ATL SPR
DNQ 		MIL
25 		DUQ SYR
DNQ 		ISF
DNQ 		SAC
9 		PHX
DNQ 		16th 540
1957 INDY
Rpl 		LAN MIL DET ATL SPR
12 		MIL
16 		DUQ SYR ISF
DNQ 		TRE
16 		SAC PHX
DNQ 		39th 10
1958 TRE INDY
27 		MIL
14 		LAN ATL SPR MIL
24 		DUQ SYR ISF TRE SAC PHX – 0
1959 DAY
5 		TRE INDY
20 		MIL
DNQ 		LAN
7 		SPR
6 		MIL
7 		DUQ
12 		SYR ISF
DNQ 		TRE SAC PHX 16th 370
1960 TRE INDY
31 		MIL
10 		LAN
10 		SPR MIL
3 		DUQ
DNQ 		SYR ISF
DNQ 		TRE
10 		SAC PHX 17th 370
1961 TRE
4 		INDY
13 		MIL
3 		LAN
6 		MIL
4 		SPR
3 		DUQ
DNQ 		SYR ISF
10 		TRE
20 		SAC PHX 10th 750
1962 TRE
20 		INDY
24 		MIL
DNQ 		LAN TRE
18 		SPR MIL
16 		LAN SYR ISF TRE SAC PHX – 0
1963 TRE INDY
10 		MIL
DNQ 		LAN TRE SPR MIL DUQ ISF TRE SAC PHX 23rd 150
1964 PHX TRE INDY
7 		MIL LAN TRE SPR MIL DUQ ISF TRE SAC PHX 20th 300
Indianapolis 500
[edit]
  • Rathmann qualified for the 1957 race, but was mugged the night before the event. He was replaced in the car by Johnnie Parsons.[4]

NASCAR

[edit]

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

Grand National Series

[edit]
NASCAR Grand National Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 NGNC Pts Ref
1951 Warren Fraser 12 Ford DAB CLT NMO GAR
7 		HBO 8th 1040 [5]
Walt Chapman 120 Ford ASF
28 		NWS MAR
Hudson CAN
9 		CLS CLB
31 		DSP
2 		GAR GRS
2 		BAI
2 		HEI
31 		AWS MCF ALS MOR
33 		ABS
9 		DAR CLB CCS OAK
20 		NWS HMS JSP ATL GAR NMO
21 MSF
55 		LAN
3 		CLT
121 FMS
25 		DSP
25 		WIL HBO TPN PGS MAR
1952 120 PBS DAB
60 		JSP NWS
23 		MAR
1 		CLB
3 		ATL
16 		CCS
24 		LAN
1** 		DAR
1 		DSP
1* 		FMS
2 		HBO
3 		CLT
5 		MSF
38 		NIF
12 		OSW
3 		MON
14 		MOR PPS MCF
3 		AWS
15 		LAN
5 		DSP
1 		WIL
5 		MAR
16* 		NWS
5 		5th 3952.5 [6]
Ford CAN
11 		HAY
Walt Chapman 20 Hudson DAR
35 		CCS
Bruce Atchley 107 Hudson HBO
25
George Hutchens 2 Olds ATL
14 		PBS
1953 Walt Chapman 120 Hudson PBS
22 		DAB
12 		HAR
2 		NWS
2 		CLT
13 		RCH
2 		CCS
1 		CLB
16 		HCY
5 		MAR
3 		PMS
2 		RSP
6 		LOU
2 		FIF
2 		LAN
1** 		TCS
2 		WIL
2 		MCF
2 		PIF
10 		MOR
1* 		ATL
2 		RVS
2 		LCF
1 		DAV
4 		HBO
19 		AWS
14 		PAS
4 		DAR
42 		CCS
16 		LAN
1 		BLF
2 		WIL
6 		NWS
24 		MAR ATL 3rd 7362 [7]
Plymouth LAN
16
Olds HCY
12
1954 John Ditz 3 Hudson PBS
23 		DAB
4 		JSP
23 		ATL
3 		OSP NWS
1 		HBO
4 		CCS
2 		LAN
3 		WIL
13 		MAR
11 		SHA
3 		RSP
2 		CLB
3 		LND
8 		HCY
4 		MCF
3 		WGS
2 		PIF
7 		AWS
3 		SFS
1* 		GRS
3 		MOR
4* 		OAK CLT
2 		DAR
DNQ 		CCS CLT
4 		LAN
7 		MAS
2 		MAR
4 		NWS
5* 		4th 6760 [8]
Ray Erickson OAK
1
Gene Comstock 108 Hudson CLT
13 		GAR
Don Oliver 12 Olds SAN
3
Frank Christian 8 Hudson COR
13
1955 John Ditz 13 Hudson TCS
13 		18th 2298 [9]
3 PBS
4 		JSP
2 		OSP
3 		CLB
3 		NWS
2 		MGY
9 		LAN
4 		CLT
18 		HCY
17 		ASF TUS MAR
Ernest Woods 88 Olds DAB
13
Dave Terrell 98 Olds HBO
14
John Ditz 3 Chrysler RCH
24 		NCF
23 		FOR
4 		LIN MCF FON AIR CLT PIF
14 		CLB AWS MOR
27 		ALS NYF DAR
62 		MGY LAN
30 		RSP GPS MAS CLB MAR LVP NWS HBO
Don Oliver 5 Olds SAN
24 		CLT FOR MAS RSP

Pacific Coast Late Model Division

[edit]
NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Division results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 NPCC Pts Ref
1954 Ray Erickson 3 Hudson OAK
1 		CAS HMS BST OAK VSP 11th 660 [10]
Don Oliver 12 Olds SAN
3 		BST CAP
1955 5 ASF TUS LAS COS HMS BST LAS SAN
24 		COS BST LAS LVP LAS WSS – – [11]
1956 Hoyt Platt 66 Mercury LAS ASF LAS LAS SMS LAS BMT POR LAS EUR MER BST HBS POR LAS BST CSF BMT COS BKS LAS SAN POR BST LAS HUG POR LAS SCF LAS WSS LAS
DNQ 		– – [12]

Complete Formula One World Championship results

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 WDC Pts
1950 A. J. Watson Watson Offenhauser L4 GBR MON 500
Ret 		SUI BEL FRA ITA NC 0
1956 Lee Elkins Kurtis Kraft 500C Offenhauser L4 ARG MON 500
5 		BEL FRA GBR GER ITA 19th 2
1957 Chapman Root Kurtis Kraft 500G Offenhauser L4 ARG MON 500
Rpl 		FRA GBR GER PES ITA – –
1958 Lee Elkins Watson Offenhauser L4 ARG MON NED 500
Ret 		BEL FRA GBR GER POR ITA MOR NC 0
1959 Lee Elkins Watson Offenhauser L4 MON 500
Ret 		NED FRA GBR GER POR ITA USA NC 0
1960 Jim Robbins Watson Offenhauser L4 ARG MON 500
Ret 		NED BEL FRA GBR POR ITA USA NC 0

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Dick Rathmann

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Dick Rathmann was an American racing driver known for his achievements in both open-wheel and stock car racing, including nine starts in the Indianapolis 500 and thirteen victories in the NASCAR Grand National Series. Born James Merwin Rathmann on January 6, 1926, in Los Angeles, California, he swapped names with his younger brother Royal Richard Rathmann during their teenage years in the early 1940s to enable his underage brother to compete in hot rod races; this switch became permanent, with his brother later becoming the well-known Jim Rathmann, winner of the 1960 Indianapolis 500. Rathmann began his professional career racing hot rods in Southern California before debuting in the AAA National Championship Car series in 1949. He participated in the Indianapolis 500 nine times from 1950 to 1964, securing a pole position in 1958 and achieving his best finish of fifth place in 1956, while also earning three top-ten finishes overall. In 1951, Rathmann transitioned primarily to stock car racing in the NASCAR Grand National Series, where he recorded 129 starts and 13 wins from 1951 to 1955, highlighted by five victories in 1952—including three consecutive wins—and five more in 1953, when he finished third in the championship points standings. He notably drove Walt Chapman's Hudson Hornet early in his NASCAR career and achieved historic feats, such as winning from the last starting position at Oakland Speedway in 1954. After retiring from active competition in 1964, Rathmann relocated to Florida, where he worked at his brother's Chevrolet and Cadillac dealerships; he was inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in 2009 and died on February 1, 2000, in Melbourne, Florida.

Early Life

Birth and Family Background

Dick Rathmann was born James Merwin Rathmann on January 6, 1926, in Los Angeles, California. He spent his childhood in Los Angeles, where his family resided during the 1920s and 1930s. His father worked as a butcher in the city, supporting the household in the local community. Rathmann was the older brother in the family, which included his younger sibling Royal Richard Rathmann. He was originally named James Merwin Rathmann before later swapping names with his brother.

Name Swap with Brother

Dick Rathmann, originally named James Merwin Rathmann, swapped names with his younger brother as teenagers, resulting in Rathmann adopting the name Dick while his brother took the name Jim Rathmann. The exchange occurred because the younger brother wanted to enter racing competitions but faced age restrictions that prevented him from participating legally under his own name, prompting the switch so he could compete using his older brother's identity. The name swap became permanent, with both brothers retaining the new names throughout their adult lives and professional careers. Although the change was mutual, the brother who became known as Jim Rathmann ultimately achieved greater prominence in open-wheel racing circles.

Racing Career

Entry into Racing and Early Competitions

Dick Rathmann began his racing career in the early 1940s, competing in hot rod events in Southern California alongside his younger brother. To allow his underage brother to participate legally, the siblings swapped names, with Rathmann adopting "Dick" while his brother took "Jim," a change originally intended as temporary but which became permanent. His early competitions were centered on the hot rod and jalopy racing scene in Southern California during this period. By the late 1940s, Rathmann transitioned to professional open-wheel racing, making his debut in the AAA Championship Car series in 1949. This marked his shift from local hot rod events to nationally sanctioned competition.

AAA Championship Car Series

Dick Rathmann made his debut in the AAA Championship Car series in 1949 with a single start at Sacramento, driving the #91 Connie Weidell entry before retiring after 13 laps. In 1950, he expanded his participation to three non-Indianapolis 500 events on the AAA calendar, finishing 6th at the Milwaukee Mile in the #45 Watson-Offenhauser and failing to finish at Langhorne Speedway. Across his two seasons in the AAA Championship Car series, Rathmann recorded four total starts with one top-ten finish but no victories or pole positions. He later returned to Championship Car racing under USAC sanction from 1956 to 1964, competing in additional non-Indianapolis 500 events where he earned three podium finishes and three pole positions across his overall 41 Championship Car starts (including Indy 500 races), though without any victories.

Indianapolis 500 Participations

Dick Rathmann made nine starts in the Indianapolis 500 between 1950 and 1964, securing one pole position and three top-ten finishes with a career-best result of fifth place. His appearances featured several strong qualifying efforts, particularly in the late 1950s, though mechanical retirements and one major accident limited his results. He debuted in 1950 as a rookie, qualifying 18th at 130.928 mph and starting from the same position in the #45 City of Glendale Watson-Offy. Rathmann retired after 25 laps due to stalling, finishing 32nd. Rathmann returned in 1956 and qualified fourth at 144.741 mph in the #73 McNamara KK500C-Offy entry. He completed all 200 laps to finish fifth, his strongest performance at Indianapolis and earning $10,744. In 1958, he won the pole position with a qualifying speed of 145.974 mph in the #97 McNamara Watson-Offy. His race ended on lap 0 due to an accident after wheel-to-wheel racing with Ed Elisian into turn three, resulting in a multi-car pileup and finishing 27th. He started fourth again in 1959 in the #73 McNamara Chiropractic but retired after 150 laps due to a fire in the pits, placing 20th. In 1960, Rathmann started fourth in the #97 Jim Robbins entry but exited after 42 laps with a brake line failure, finishing 31st. Rathmann finished 13th in 1961 after starting sixth and retiring at 164 laps with fuel pump trouble. The next year, he started 13th but retired after 51 laps due to magneto failure, ending 24th. His final two appearances proved more competitive. In 1963, he started 17th and completed all 200 laps to finish 10th. Rathmann concluded his Indy 500 career in 1964 by starting 12th and finishing seventh after running 197 laps.

NASCAR Career

Rathmann competed in NASCAR's Grand National Series (now the Cup Series) from 1951 to 1955, a period during which he achieved greater success in stock car racing than in his earlier open-wheel pursuits. He made 129 starts and secured 13 victories, along with 11 poles, 69 top-five finishes, and 79 top-ten finishes while leading 2,148 laps. His strongest performances came between 1952 and 1954, during which he earned all 13 of his wins—five in 1952, five in 1953, and three in 1954—and consistently contended for high points positions. He dominated the 1953 Langhorne event by leading all 200 laps. In 1953, Rathmann finished third in the final points standings behind Lee Petty and Herb Thomas. Rathmann formed a formidable team with car owner Walt Chapman, driving Hudsons and other equipment that helped him excel on various short tracks and superspeedways of the era. His NASCAR tenure concluded in 1955 after 20 starts without a victory, though he continued to post competitive results in select events.

Media Appearances

Appearances as Himself in Racing Broadcasts and Documentaries

Dick Rathmann appeared as himself in episodes of the television series Formula 1, which provided coverage and documentation of the Indianapolis 500 races during the 1950s and early 1960s. These episodes typically featured participating drivers in their real-life capacities, often through interviews, race footage, or event recaps. Records indicate Rathmann appeared as himself in multiple episodes of the series between 1950 and 1960, aligning with his active participation in the Indianapolis 500. He is also credited as Self in one episode of the Nascar Cup Series in 1951. No additional major appearances in standalone documentaries or other racing broadcasts are documented in primary credits sources.

Personal Life

Family and Personal Details

Dick Rathmann was married to Carol Rathmann. He was survived by his wife Carol and his brother Jim Rathmann, the 1960 Indianapolis 500 winner with whom he had swapped names in their youth. No further details about children or other family members are documented in available sources.

Later Years and Death

After retiring from active racing in 1964, Dick Rathmann moved to Melbourne, Florida, where he worked at his brother Jim Rathmann's Chevrolet and Cadillac dealerships. He resided in Melbourne for the remainder of his life, joining his younger brother in the automotive business. Rathmann died at his home in Melbourne, Florida, on February 1, 2000, at the age of 74. He was survived by his wife Carol.

Legacy

Posthumous Recognition and Hall of Fame Induction

Dick Rathmann was posthumously inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in 2009. This recognition honored his pioneering contributions to stock car racing on the West Coast during the 1950s, where he competed successfully in events that helped lay the foundation for the sport's growth in the region. The hall, dedicated to preserving the legacy of early West Coast stock car figures, included Rathmann in its 2009 class alongside other notable drivers from that era. No other major posthumous honors or hall of fame inductions are documented for Rathmann.

Influence on Motorsports

Dick Rathmann played a notable role in early post-World War II American motorsports by competing across both open-wheel and stock car disciplines during a formative period for the sports. Beginning with hot rod racing in Southern California in the early 1940s, he transitioned to AAA Championship Car competition in 1949 before shifting primarily to NASCAR Grand National stock car racing in 1951, embodying the versatility that characterized many drivers in the postwar era when series boundaries were less rigid. His connection to his younger brother Jim Rathmann, the 1960 Indianapolis 500 winner, was particularly distinctive due to their teenage identity swap—where the older brother James Merwin Rathmann became known as Dick to allow his underage sibling to race—which became a lasting anecdote in racing history and underscored family ties in the sport's development. Rathmann's legacy spans stock car and open-wheel racing, highlighted by his 13 NASCAR wins, including strong performances in the early 1950s that culminated in a third-place points finish in 1953, as well as nine Indianapolis 500 starts and a pole position in 1958. The Rathmann brothers' successes in both AAA/USAC open-wheel events and NASCAR led to a popular saying of the era that whichever form of racing was superior, "they both got a Rathmann," illustrating their collective impact on postwar American motorsports. In 2009, Dick Rathmann was inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to stock car racing.
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