Indy-car legend Garr Bettenhausen has died at the age of 72, confirms officials of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Bettenhausen — of the famous Bettenhausen racing family — competed in 21 Indianapolis 500s between 1968 and 1993, finishing 3rd in 1980. He was in the lead for 138 laps of the 1972 race and was the top qualifier in 1991.
Bettenhausen’s father, Tony, another Indianapolis 500 veteran, was killed in a crash during practice at the speedway in 1961.
Speedway President J. Douglas Boles issued a statement Monday, expressing accolades for the Bettenhausen, calling him ”the perfect definition of a race car driver of his time.”
Tributes to the Indy driver were posted today on Twitter:
RIP Gary Bettenhausen……the man was brilliant on the pavement and dirt! Thanks for the great memories as a kid! pic.twitter.com/yMN7YHGB9o
— Steve H. Shunck (@SHUNCK) March 17, 2014
We're saddened to hear the news of Gary Bettenhausen's passing. Our thoughts are with his friends and family today. pic.twitter.com/kysX7BGeMY
— Indy Motor Speedway (@IMS) March 17, 2014
I am sorry to hear of Gary Bettenhausen. #RIP Thoughts with family,friends and racing community #SadNews
— Linda (@IndyLinda1414) March 17, 2014
So sorry to hear about the passing of Gary Bettenhausen. Friend, former member of @JusticeBrosInc team & part of a legendary racing family.
— Ed Justice Jr (@EdJusticeJr) March 17, 2014
Saddened to hear about the passing of former driver Gary Bettenhausen. He was one of my all-time favorite drivers.
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) March 17, 2014
With passing of Gary Bettenhausen, another link to a special era of Motorsports is gone. Great memories!!
— Gary Gerould (@ggerould) March 17, 2014
Sad to hear of the passing of Gary Bettenhausen…RIP Gary!
— Ralph Sheheen (@ralphsheheen) March 17, 2014
Gary Bettenhausen is one of those unsung drivers that aren't known by the average fan but if they did, they would loved him. #IndyCar
— ForTheLoveofIndy (@4TheLoveOfIndy) March 17, 2014
Very sad to hear of the loss of Gary Bettenhausen last night. A proper Indycar racer of the old guard.
— Leigh M O'Gorman (@LeighOGorman) March 17, 2014
RIP to Gary Bettenhausen. One of the great all-time competitors at Indy, through ups and downs. I saw him finish P5 in my first #Indy500 .
— Zachary Houghton (@indycaradvocate) March 17, 2014
I was lucky to drive Gary Bettenhausen around Sac on PR tour (Silver Crown at Cal Expo `89). He was 100% old school. pic.twitter.com/NPDFV8kbQL
— Bobby Gerould (@BobbyGerould) March 17, 2014
One more RIP to Gary Bettenhausen. 1972 Milwaukee Mile. Inside Row 3 car #7. Gary would finish 3rd. What a crowd!!! pic.twitter.com/FYG3yJCJJt
— Steve H. Shunck (@SHUNCK) March 17, 2014
Image via YouTube