From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mel Hansen (June 8, 1898 Hayti, South Dakota – June 25, 1963 San Bernardino, California) was an American racecar driver. Hansen was nicknamed the “Firecracker Kid” because he loved to throw the explosive devices under chairs and behind people who were gathered in groups. [1]
[edit] Racing career
[edit] Midget car career
Hansen's first big win was the 1939 Turkey Night Grand Prix at Gilmore Stadium in Rex Mays Offenhauser. Hansen raced his midget car throughout the nation in 1940, and won 53 features that season.[1] He also claimed the track championship at Fort Miami Speedway in Toledo, Ohio that season. He won the 1942 track championship at VFW Motor Speedway in Detroit. Hansen raced in the United Racing Association in California, and won the 1945 URA Blue Circuit championship.
[edit] Championship car career
Hansen competed in six Indianapolis 500s. He only completed one entire race, which was an eighth place finish in the 1940 Indianapolis 500. He won the 100 mile race at Atlanta, Georgia in 1948.
[edit] Accident
Hansen was paralyzed after a racing crash in 1949 at Detroit, and he died on June 5, 1963 after being a paraplegic for fifteen years. [1]
[edit] Career award
[edit] Indy 500 results
| Year |
Car |
Start |
Qual |
Rank |
Finish |
Laps |
Led |
Retired |
| 1939 |
49 |
14 |
121.683 |
25 |
19 |
113 |
0 |
Crash Pits |
| 1940 |
31 |
5 |
124.753 |
7 |
8 |
194 |
0 |
Flagged |
| 1941 |
9 |
21 |
124.599 |
6 |
29 |
11 |
0 |
Rod |
| 1946 |
4 |
27 |
121.431 |
17 |
11 |
143 |
0 |
Crankshaft |
| 1947 |
38 |
29 |
117.298 |
27 |
27 |
32 |
0 |
Pushed |
| 1948 |
17 |
33 |
122.117 |
32 |
25 |
42 |
0 |
Too slow |
| Totals |
535 |
0 |
|
|
| Starts |
6 |
| Poles |
0 |
| Front Row |
0 |
| Wins |
0 |
| Top 5 |
0 |
| Top 10 |
1 |
| Retired |
5 |
|
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Biography at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame
