Tony Lee Bettenhausen

Tony Bettenhausen (JR)

  • Born

    30 October 1951
    Joliet, Will County, Illinois, USA

  • Died

    14 February 2000 (Age 48)
    Harrison County, Kentucky, USA

  • Buried

    Crown Hill Cemetery
    Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana,
    Resting in Section 58, Lot 110

  • Impacted on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

    Auto Race Car Driver. Youngest son of racing legend Melvin "Tony" Bettenhausen. Veteran of 11 Indianapolis 500-mile classics, with best finish of 7th in 1981, his rookie start. Was one of the few car owner-drivers in Indy Car racing in recent years. Last competed in the Indianapolis 500 in 1993 and became a full-time car owner thereafter. Killed in tragic plane crash near Lexington, KY with wife Shirley (daughter of former Indianapolis racing star Jim McElreath) and friends/business partners Russell Roberts and Larry Rangel.