Danny Oakes
Danny Oakes (July 18, 1911 – January 13, 2007) was an American
Early life
Daniel G. Oakes became interested in racing when he delivered morning and evening newspapers in his hometown of
He began attending races at Legion Ascot Speedway. He built a black roadster with chrome wheels that he drove to the track. The car led to an opportunity to be a mechanic on a bootlegger's racecar. Oakes drove the car at warmups at area racetracks.
Driving career
Oakes began racing at Legion Ascot Speedway in 1932 at age 21 in the Class C for beginners. Legion Ascot Speedway closed down in 1936, and Oakes switched to midget cars. He won the Pacific Coast championship three times.[1] Oakes was one of the drivers who was unable to race in the prime of his life during the four years of World War II, as all racing halted during the war.[1][2] Oakes was a flight inspector at Lockheed.[1]
Oakes won the first race after the war at
He drove for 25 years in the midget cars and
He continued racing midgets until he was in his mid-60s. He ended his racing career as a throttleman in off-shore boat racing in his 70s.
During his years of driving, he became friends with Tony Hulman, Wilbur Shaw, and other big names in racing during those reconstructive years after WWII. Danny was infamous with the ladies and often referred to as "Dapper Dan".
Crew chief
He did set up the
Career award
- Oakes was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1996.[2]
Death
Oakes died in Huntington Beach, California on January 13, 2007, aged 95.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d Mittman, Dick (August 19, 2003). "Oakes played right tune with Indy roadster engines". Indianapolismotorspeedway.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
- ^ a b "Danny Oakes". Worthyofhonor.com. National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2007.
- ^ Davidson, Donald (January 17, 2007). "Noted Indianapolis 500 chief mechanic Oakes dies at 95". Indianapolismotorspeedway.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2007.
- ^ Peltz, Jim (January 18, 2007). "Danny Oakes, 95; champion West Coast midget-car racer and Indy 500 mechanic". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 3, 2017.