- Pat Flaherty
George Francis 'Pat' Flaherty, Jr. (
January 6 1926 –April 9 2002 ) was an American racecar driver who won theIndianapolis 500 in 1956.Born in
Glendale, California , Flaherty died of cancer inOxnard, California . He drove in the AAA and USACChampionship Car series, racing in the 1950, 1953-1956, 1958-1958, and 1963 seasons with 19 starts, including theIndianapolis 500 races in 1950, 1953, 1955, 1956, and 1959. He finished in the top ten 9 times, with victories in 1955 and 1956 at Milwaukee as well as the1956 Indianapolis 500 .Indy 500 results
* Shared drive withJim Rathmann 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. Pat Flaherty participated in 6 World Championship races. He started on the pole 1 time, won 1 race, set 0 fastest laps, and finished on the podium 1 time. He accumulated a total of 8 championship points.
Trivia
*In the Spring of 1956, Flaherty did not have a ride for the 1956 Indianspolis 500. While tending bar at the tavern he owned on Chicago's north side, Flaherty overheard from two racing insiders, that car owner Zink did not have a driver yet for his racecar. Flaherty quickly called him and the two agreed over the phone to a one race deal.Fact|date=September 2007
*Pat Flaherty successfully raced pigeons for over twenty years after he retired form auto racing.
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