Dick Rathmann


James Merwin "Dick" Rathmann was an American racing driver.
Rathmann and his younger brother swapped names while teenagers. He was an 18-year-old going by the name of Jim Rathmann, when his brother wanted to start racing. To help him enter races, he traded I.D.s with him, and assumed the identity of "Dick Rathmann.'"' The name change stuck for life in public circles.
Rathmann drove in the AAA Championship Car series in the 1949 and 1950 seasons with four starts, including the 1950 Indianapolis 500. He finished in the top-ten once, in sixth position at Milwaukee in 1950.
In 1951, Rathmann moved to NASCAR, where he was a very successful Grand National driver through 1955.
In 1956, Rathmann returned to the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1956–1964 seasons with an additional 41 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1956 and 1958–1964. He finished in the top-ten 21 more times, with his best finish in second position in 1959 at Daytona.
Rathmann sat on the pole for the 1958 Indianapolis 500. On the first lap, he and fellow front-row starter Ed Elisian raced into turn 3 and started a chain-reaction accident which involved 15 cars and claimed the life of Pat O'Connor. With that accident, Rathmann became the first Indy pole-sitter to complete no laps. This feat has been repeated only twice in Indy history, first by Roberto Guerrero and then by Scott Sharp.
Rathmann was the elder brother of 1960 Indianapolis 500 winner Jim Rathmann. The two switched names in 1946 so his younger brother could enter a race while underage. For what was supposed to be a short time, he adopted the name "Dick" and his brother adopted the name "Jim". The change stuck for life.
In 2009, Rathmann was inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame.

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. Rathmann participated in five World Championship races. He started on the pole once and accumulated a total of two World Championship points.

Racing record

American open-wheel racing

USAC Championship Car

Indianapolis 500
Starts9
Poles1
Front Row1
Wins0
Top 51
Top 103
Retired6

Grand National Series

Pacific Coast Late Model Division

Complete Formula One World Championship results

YearEntrantChassisEngine1234567891011Pts
1950A. J. WatsonWatsonOffenhauser L4GBRMON500
Ret		SUIBELFRAITANC0
1956Lee ElkinsKurtis Kraft 500COffenhauser L4ARGMON500
5		BELFRAGBRGERITA19th2
1957Chapman RootKurtis Kraft 500GOffenhauser L4ARGMON500
Rpl		FRAGBRGERPESITA––
1958Lee ElkinsWatsonOffenhauser L4ARGMONNED500
Ret		BELFRAGBRGERPORITAMORNC0
1959Lee ElkinsWatsonOffenhauser L4MON500
Ret		NEDFRAGBRGERPORITAUSANC0
1960Jim RobbinsWatsonOffenhauser L4ARGMON500
Ret		NEDBELFRAGBRPORITAUSANC0