Pat Flaherty (racing driver)

Pat Flaherty
Born (1926-01-06)January 6, 1926
Glendale, California
Died April 9, 2002(2002-04-09) (aged 76)
Oxnard, California
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality United States American
Active years 1950, 19531956, 1959
Teams Kurtis Kraft, Watson
Entries 6
Championships 0
Wins 1
Podiums 1
Career points 8
Pole positions 1
Fastest laps 0
First entry 1950 Indianapolis 500
First win 1956 Indianapolis 500
Last win 1956 Indianapolis 500
Last entry 1959 Indianapolis 500

George Francis Flaherty, Jr. (January 6, 1926 April 9, 2002), known professionally as Pat Flaherty, was an American racecar driver who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1956.[1]

He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1950, 1953–1956, 1958-1958, and 1963 seasons with 19 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1950, 1953, 1955, 1956, and 1959. He finished in the top ten 9 times, with victories in 1955 and 1956 at Milwaukee as well as the 1956 Indianapolis 500. Born in Glendale, California, Flaherty died in Oxnard, California.

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. Pat Flaherty participated in 6 World Championship races. He started on the pole once, won once, and accumulated a total of 8 championship points.

After winning the 1956 Indianapolis 500, Flaherty was severely injured in a race car crash less than three months later,[2] which prevented him from racing at the 1957 500. Flaherty successfully raced pigeons for over twenty years after he retired from auto racing.[3]

Indianapolis 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired
1950 59 11 129.608 30 10 135 0 Running
1953 77 24 135.668 27 22 115 0 Crash NC
1954 38 - - - Ret* 110 0 Crash
1955 89 12 140.149 8 10 200 0 Running
1956 8 1 145.596 1 1 200 127 Running
1959 64 18 142.399 21 19 162 11 Crash FS
Totals 812 138

Starts 5
Poles 1
Front Row 1
Wins 1
Top 5 1
Top 10 3
Retired 2

* Shared drive with Jim Rathmann

References

Preceded by
Bob Sweikert
Indianapolis 500 Winner
1956
Succeeded by
Sam Hanks


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