Merle M. Bettenhausen (1943-06-09) June 9, 1943 (age 81) Tinley Park, Illinois, U.S.
Champ Car career
3 races run over 3 years
Years active
1969-1970, 1972
Best finish
41st – 1970
First race
1970 Tony Bettenhausen 100 (Springfield)
Last race
1972 Michigan 200 (Michigan)
Wins
Podiums
Poles
0
0
0
Merle Bettenhausen[1] (born June 9, 1943) is a former American race car driver. The second oldest member of the Bettenhausen racing family, he is the son of Tony Bettenhausen and the brother of Gary Bettenhausen and Tony Bettenhausen Jr.
Merle's USAC Champ Car racing career was brief and tragic. Three laps into his first Champ Car race on a paved track, Michigan International Speedway on July 16, 1972, he tangled with Mike Hiss and crashed into the outside wall. The car exploded in flames and Merle tried to climb out while it was still moving. His right arm became trapped between the car and the wall and was torn off.[2]
He currently resides in Indianapolis and works in the retail automobile business. He has a son, Ryan Bettenhausen, and daughter, Tracy Jennings.
^Marvin E. Scattergood. "A Tribute to Merle Bettenhausen". Archived from the original on 2011-07-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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Global Information
American