Don Branson

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Don Branson (June 2, 1920 - November 12, 1966) was an American racecar driver.

Born in Rantoul, Illinois, Branson was killed in a racing crash at Ascot Park in Gardena, California. He drove in the USAC Championship Car series and also in sprint cars, racing champ cars in the 1956-1966 seasons with 129 starts, including the 1959-1966 Indianapolis 500 races. He finished in the top ten 85 times, with 7 victories.

Branson was also the 1959 and 1965 USAC Sprint Car Series Champion.

[edit] Indy 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired 1959 9 10 143.312 12 24 112 0 Torsion bar 1960 7 8 144.753 11 4 200 0 Running 1961 3 2 146.843 3 33 2 0 Bent Valves 1962 14 11 147.312 11 12 200 0 Running 1963 4 3 150.188 4 5 200 0 Running 1964 5 9 152.672 12 12 187 0 Clutch 1965 4 18 155.501 16 8 197 0 Flagged 1966 4 9 160.385 12 23 0 0 Crash FS Totals 1098 0

Starts 8 Poles 0 Front Row 2 Wins 0 Top 5 2 Top 10 3 Retired 4

[edit] 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. Don Branson participated in 2 World Championship races. He started on the pole 0 times, won 0 races, set 0 fastest laps, and finished on the podium 0 times. He accumulated a total of 3 championship points.

[edit] Award

He was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1994.