Dick Passwater
Encyclopedia
Richard "Dick" Passwater (born July 25, 1925) is a retired American racecar driver who raced in NASCAR
and USAC
.
Born in Indianapolis
, Passwater started racing after World War II
, and was active in the 1950s and 1960s. He won the fifth race of the 1953 NASCAR
Grand National (now Sprint Cup) season at Charlotte Speedway
in his 1953 Oldsmobile
. He won the race after most of the top contenders either fell out of the race or had to make a late pit stop at the 3/4 mile long dirt track
. The race saw a then-record six drivers take the lead with 18 lead changes. One of Passwater's Oldsmobiles is in a museum in Lansing, Michigan
. He retired because car owner Frank Arford had died in a crash in Langhorne, PA while attempting to qualify for the race. Passwater's generosity of letting the owner race backfired, and he returned to Indianapolis
. He campaigned a self-owned Olds for his last race in the '53 Southern 500
, finishing ninth.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
and USAC
United States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
.
Born in Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Passwater started racing after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and was active in the 1950s and 1960s. He won the fifth race of the 1953 NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Grand National (now Sprint Cup) season at Charlotte Speedway
Charlotte Speedway
For the current NASCAR track in Charlotte, North Carolina, see Charlotte Motor Speedway.Charlotte Speedway was the site of NASCAR's first Strictly Stock series race on June 19, 1949. The Daytona Beach Road Course held the first race sanctioned by NASCAR in 1948...
in his 1953 Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory...
. He won the race after most of the top contenders either fell out of the race or had to make a late pit stop at the 3/4 mile long dirt track
Dirt track racing
Dirt track racing is a type of auto racing performed on oval tracks. It began in the United States before World War I and became widespread during the 1920s and 30s. Two different types of racecars predominated—open wheel racers in the Northeast and West and stock cars in the South...
. The race saw a then-record six drivers take the lead with 18 lead changes. One of Passwater's Oldsmobiles is in a museum in Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
. He retired because car owner Frank Arford had died in a crash in Langhorne, PA while attempting to qualify for the race. Passwater's generosity of letting the owner race backfired, and he returned to Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. He campaigned a self-owned Olds for his last race in the '53 Southern 500
Southern 500
The Showtime Southern 500 is the annual spring NASCAR Sprint Cup race held at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina, USA, and is the second such event at Darlington to bear the name. It began in 1957 as a race in the Convertible Division, known as the Rebel 300. In 1966, the race was...
, finishing ninth.