Dan Peter Kladis (February 10, 1917 or February 10, 1916 – April 26, 2009) was an American racing driver. 92-year-old Kladis was the oldest living Indianapolis 500 starter at the time of his death.
Racing career
Kladis began his racing career in midget cars during 1935. When auto racing in the United States resumed after the Second World War, Kladis started in the 1946 Indianapolis 500, driving for Andy Granatelli; Kladis finished 21st.
Kladis drove 50 laps as a relief driver for Spider Webb during the 1954 Indianapolis 500. Kladis attempted to make the 500 field until the 1957 Indianapolis 500 but was often unsuccessful.
World Drivers' Championship career
The AAA/USAC-sanctioned Indianapolis 500 was included in the FIA World Drivers' Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indianapolis during those years were credited with World Drivers' Championship participation, and were eligible to score WDC points alongside those which they may have scored towards the AAA/USAC National Championship.
Kladis participated in one World Drivers' Championship race at Indianapolis. He relieved Spider Webb, finishing in 30th place. He scored no World Drivers' Championship points.
Personal life
While Kladis' birth date on most documents is 1917, on his WWII draft card it is given as 1916. He served as a pilot in the United States Army Air Corps during the War.
Kladis was the father of seven children: George, Joanne, Carole, Ciciela, Christopher, Danny Jr, and Michael.
Awards and honors
Kladis was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2007.
Motorsports career results
Indianapolis 500 results
YearCarChassisEngineStartQualRankFinishLapsLedRetired194659MillerFord33118.8903221460Towed194958Lencki Failed to qualify195039MaseratiMaserati Failed to qualify195189MillerMiller Failed to qualify195219DiedtOffy Failed to qualify1954*65BrommeOffy - - -30??Fuel pump195593Kurtis KraftOffy Failed to qualify195772MaseratiMaserati Failed to qualify84MercedesJaguar Failed to qualifyTotals460
Starts1Poles0Front Row0Wins0Top 50Top 100Retired1
* shared drive with Spider Webb
FIA World Drivers' Championship results
(key) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Pts 1950 Federal Engineering Maserati 8CTF Maserati 3.0 L8 s GBR MON 500 SUI BEL FRA ITA NC 0 1951 Trainor Chicago Trainor Special Miller L6 s SUI 500 BEL FRA GBR GER ITA ESP NC 0 1952 Tuffanelli-Derrico Diedt Tuffanelli Derrico Offenhauser 4.5 L4 SUI 500 BEL FRA GBR GER NED ITA NC 0 1954 Advance Muffler Bromme D Offenhauser 4.5 L4 ARG 500 BEL FRA GBR GER SUI ITA ESP NC 0 1955 Roy McKay Kurtis Kraft 3000 Offenhauser 4.5 L4 ARG MON 500 BEL NED GBR ITA NC 0 1957 Morgan Engineering Maserati 4CLT/48 Maserati 4CLT 1.5 L4 s ARG MON 500 FRA GBR GER PES ITA NC 0 Safety Auto Glass Mercedes W154 Jaguar 3.4 L6 500
References