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Don Branson
Don Branson
Don Branson
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Donald L. Branson[1] (June 2, 1920 – November 12, 1966) was an American racecar driver.

Key Information

Career

[edit]

Born in Rantoul, Illinois, Branson drove in the USAC Championship Car series and also in sprint cars, racing champ cars in the 1956–1966 seasons with 128 starts, including the 1959–1966 Indianapolis 500 races. He finished in the top-ten 85 times, with seven victories.

Branson was also the 1959 and 1964 USAC Sprint Car Series Champion.

Branson was killed in 1966 in a crash at a sprint car race at Ascot Park in Gardena, California, which also claimed the life of fellow driver Dick Atkins. The fatal wreck occurred with only a few races left in the season for the USAC series.

Awards

[edit]

He was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1994 and the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2012.[2]

Complete USAC Championship Car results

[edit]
Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Pos Points
1956 INDY
 MIL
 LAN
 DAR
 ATL
 SPR
11 		MIL
26 		DUQ
10 		SYR
15 		ISF
DNQ 		SAC
 PHX
 31st 50
1957 INDY
 LAN
9 		MIL
21 		DET
10 		ATL
8 		SPR
11 		MIL
DNQ 		DUQ
9 		SYR
DNS 		ISF
5 		TRE
19 		SAC
 PHX
 19th 280
1958 TRE INDY
 MIL
DNQ 		LAN
4 		ATL
5 		SPR
7 		MIL
12 		DUQ
3 		SYR
6 		ISF
4 		TRE
6 		SAC
12 		PHX
7 		9th 790
1959 DAY
11 		TRE
13 		INDY
24 		MIL
9 		LAN
9 		SPR
2 		MIL
 DUQ
2 		SYR
2 		ISF
17 		TRE
5 		SAC
5 		PHX
15 		7th 780
1960 TRE
22 		INDY
4 		MIL
22 		LAN
15 		SPR
7 		MIL
19 		DUQ
8 		SYR
12 		ISF
4 		TRE
4 		SAC
3 		PHX
4 		3rd 1.220
1961 TRE
16 		INDY
33 		MIL
6 		LAN
14 		MIL
24 		SPR
15 		DUQ
6 		SYR
17 		ISF
8 		TRE
4 		SAC
7 		PHX
3 		12th 530
1962 TRE
4 		INDY
12 		MIL
17 		LAN
4 		TRE
2 		SPR
3 		MIL
25 		LAN
1 		SYR
7 		ISF
2 		TRE
1 		SAC
2 		PHX
8 		4th 1,700
1963 TRE
17 		INDY
5 		MIL
17 		LAN
DNS 		TRE
12 		SPR
3 		MIL
10 		DUQ
5 		ISF
2 		TRE
5 		SAC
6 		PHX
7 		5th 1,352
1964 PHX
4 		TRE
 INDY
12 		MIL
15 		LAN
2 		TRE
3 		SPR
3 		MIL
13 		DUQ
3 		ISF
3 		TRE
2 		SAC
3 		PHX
3 		4th 1,700
1965 PHX
1 		TRE
13 		INDY
8 		MIL
20 		LAN
15 		PIP TRE
4 		IRP
6 		ATL
8 		LAN
6 		MIL
6 		SPR
6 		MIL
25 		DUQ
1 		ISF
13 		TRE
15 		SAC
1 		PHX
5 		4th 1,875
1966 PHX
16 		TRE
10 		INDY
23 		MIL
15 		LAN
4 		ATL
6 		PIP
 IRP
9 		LAN
5 		SPR
1 		MIL
23 		DUQ
6 		ISF
4 		TRE
23 		SAC
4 		PHX
 7th 1.135

Indianapolis 500 results

[edit]

Complete Formula One World Championship results

[edit]

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 WDC Points
1959 Bob Estes Phillips Offenhauser L4 MON
 500
24 		NED
 FRA
 GBR
 GER
 POR
 ITA
 USA
 NC 0
1960 Bob Estes Phillips Offenhauser L4 ARG
 MON
 500
4 		NED
 BEL
 FRA
 GBR
 POR
 ITA
 USA
 21st 3

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Don Branson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Don Branson was an American racecar driver known for his dominance in USAC sprint car and midget racing during the 1950s and 1960s, as well as his competitive performances in IndyCar events including the Indianapolis 500. Born in 1920 in Rantoul, Illinois, he began his racing career after World War II, winning titles in the USAC Midwest Sprint Car series in 1959 and the National Sprint Car championship in 1964 while defeating prominent competitors such as A.J. Foyt and Jud Larson. Nicknamed "Pappy" or "The Racing Grandfather" due to his age relative to many peers—he was among the oldest active drivers in USAC championship competition—Branson earned a reputation for consistency, popularity, and skill across midget, sprint car, and championship car divisions. He was inducted into the USAC Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to open-wheel racing. Branson's career ended tragically on November 12, 1966, when he was killed in a sprint car crash at Ascot Park in California at the age of 46. His legacy endures as a veteran driver who exemplified determination and success in American motorsports.

Early life

Birth and early years

Don Branson, born Donald Laverne Branson on June 2, 1920, in Rantoul, Champaign County, Illinois, grew up in a rural Midwestern environment during the Great Depression and World War II eras. Prior to his involvement in motorsports, he worked as a truck driver to earn a living. Branson supported a young family during this time, which made financial circumstances challenging. To supplement his income, he took on additional jobs, including working at a petrol station and driving taxis. Little additional detail is documented about his childhood, family origins, or education in available sources.

Entry into racing

Don Branson began his racing career in 1946, initially competing in midget races. His entry into the sport came shortly after World War II, with a focus on midget cars during his formative years in motorsports. He built experience in the midget division, securing a notable early victory by winning the final AAA-sanctioned indoor midget race at Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1955. This success in midgets established his reputation in the early stages of his career before he advanced to other series.

Sprint car career

Rise and achievements in sprint cars

Don Branson rose to prominence in sprint car racing during the late 1950s through his performances in USAC-sanctioned events on dirt tracks. At age 39 in 1959, he captured the USAC Midwest Sprint Car point championship, defeating A.J. Foyt and other top competitors in a breakout season that established his reputation as a leading dirt tracker. His success continued into the 1960s, culminating in the USAC National Sprint Car championship in 1964, when he outscored Jud Larson. Throughout his sprint car tenure, Branson recorded 28 feature wins in USAC competition, demonstrating consistent excellence and versatility on various dirt ovals. Nicknamed "Pappy" for his ability to compete at a high level well into his forties, he earned widespread respect among peers for his smooth, skillful driving style that influenced even accomplished drivers. Mario Andretti later recalled watching Branson qualify to study his technique, highlighting the reverence he commanded in the racing community. These accomplishments solidified Branson's status as one of the era's premier sprint car drivers and led to his induction into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1994. His sprint car achievements paved the way for further opportunities in higher-level racing series.

USAC Championship Car career

Entry, seasons, and statistics

Don Branson entered the USAC Championship Car series in 1956, transitioning from his prominent sprint car background to open-wheel competition on larger paved and dirt ovals. He competed until 1966, making a total of 125 starts in the series. Over the course of his USAC Championship Car career, Branson achieved 6 wins, 35 top-5 finishes, and numerous top-10 finishes (reported as 85 in some records). He recorded 15 pole positions during his tenure in the series, primarily on dirt ovals. Branson drove for several owners, most notably Lindsey Hopkins, who provided equipment for a significant portion of his starts. His participation reflected the era's blend of part-time and multi-car team efforts in USAC's national championship trail.

Notable wins and performances

Don Branson recorded six victories in the USAC Championship Car series, establishing himself as a formidable competitor on both dirt and paved ovals. These wins were part of his broader record of 85 top-10 finishes across approximately 129 starts in the series from 1956 to 1966. In 1962, he captured two notable triumphs, winning the Langhorne 100 on the dirt oval at Langhorne Speedway on August 26 and the Trenton 200 on the paved oval at Trenton International Speedway on September 23. These successes highlighted his versatility across surface types during a season in which he finished fourth in the championship standings. Branson's most productive Championship Car season came in 1965, when he secured three victories and placed fourth in points. He opened with a win in the Jimmy Bryan Memorial 150 at Phoenix on March 28, followed by victories in the Ted Horn Memorial 100 at DuQuoin on September 7 and the 100-mile event at Sacramento on October 24. This trio of wins demonstrated his strength on both paved and dirt tracks that year. He also won at Springfield in 1966. In 1964, although he did not visit victory lane, Branson delivered a consistently strong performance with top-five finishes in nine of his 12 starts, including two seconds and six thirds, en route to fourth in the final standings. This reliability without a win underscored his competitive edge in the series.

Indianapolis 500

Participations and results

Don Branson participated in eight consecutive Indianapolis 500 races from 1959 to 1966. His best result was a fourth-place finish in 1960, when he started eighth and completed all 200 laps. He also earned a fifth-place finish in 1963, starting third and again completing the full 200 laps. Across his career at Indianapolis, he never led a lap and had three top-ten finishes in total. The table below summarizes his year-by-year participations and results at the Indianapolis 500.
YearStart PositionFinish PositionLaps CompletedStatus
19591024112Torsion bar
196084200Running
19612332Valves
19621112200Running
196335200Running
1964912187Transmission
1965188197Running
19669230Accident
Branson's 1961 effort was notable for starting on the front row (second position), though valve problems forced an early retirement. His 1966 race ended immediately due to an accident before completing any laps. Mechanical retirements also occurred in 1959 and 1964. His qualifying speeds increased over the years, peaking at 160.385 mph in 1966.

Death

1966 Ascot Park crash

On November 12, 1966, Don Branson was killed at age 46 in a violent sprint car accident during a USAC Sprint Car race at Ascot Park in Gardena, California. The crash occurred in the fifth lap of the 30-lap main event when Branson lost control of his sprint car in the south turn and struck the wall, causing it to rebound into the racing line. Dick Atkins' car then collided with Branson's, triggering a multi-car pileup in which Branson's vehicle flipped upside down and caught fire, resulting in his instant death from the impact and flames. Atkins succumbed to his injuries the following day due to a skull fracture. Some speculation arose that Branson may have suffered a heart attack prior to losing control of the car, though this was never confirmed by official reports. This incident marked one of the tragic double fatalities in USAC sprint car racing during 1966, coming near the end of the season while Branson was still actively competing. Sources consistently report the date as November 12, with no verified evidence of a discrepancy to December.

Legacy

Impact and recognition

Don Branson is remembered for his versatility and consistency as a driver who excelled across multiple disciplines of American open-wheel racing, including midgets, sprint cars, and USAC Championship Cars. He was regarded as one of the most consistent and popular competitors in the USAC circuit, earning respect for his longevity and performance despite being among the oldest drivers in championship competition during his later years. Posthumously, Branson's contributions were formally recognized through induction into the USAC Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1994 and the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2012, honoring his championships and numerous victories in those series. His legacy endures through the annual Don Branson/Jud Larson Memorial race, a longstanding event in the USAC National Sprint Car series held at Eldora Speedway, which pays tribute to his impact on sprint car racing alongside that of fellow driver Jud Larson.

Media appearances

Television credits

Don Branson's television credits were limited, consisting primarily of appearances as himself in programming related to the Indianapolis 500 and auto racing events during the 1960s. His most documented appearance was in the TV special 1965 Indianapolis 500, where he was credited as self, reflecting his participation in that year's race. This appearance aligned with the era's growing television coverage of IndyCar events, allowing drivers like Branson brief visibility beyond the track. No other major television credits, such as scripted roles or recurring appearances on series, are documented for him.
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