24 replies to this topic

[HistoryFan]

Jean Alesi is the oldest rookie in Indy 500 ever. Who has a complete top-ten-list?

[jonpollak]

Jean Alesi is the oldest rookie in Indy 500 ever. Who has a complete top-ten-list?

Donald Davidson.
Jp

[Vitesse2]

Donald Davidson.
Jp

[arttidesco]

The first (only ?) 4 Crown Nationals Sprint champ Jack Hewitt set the previous record in 1998 at 46 years and 320 days.

[Michael Ferner]

He was the only one to win all four "crowns" in one year, or even the only one to win all four at any time.

[arttidesco]

He was the only one to win all four "crowns" in one year, or even the only one to win all four at any time.

'98 was a vintage year for Jack with his Indy qualification as well

[Richard Jenkins]

Jean Alesi is the oldest rookie in Indy 500 ever. Who has a complete top-ten-list?

No he isn't, he's the oldest rookie starter - he's quite some way off the oldest rookie yet

Oldest Starters:
Jean Alesi, 47, 2012
Jack Hewitt, 46, 1988
Christian Lautenschlager, 46, 1923
Lyn St. James, 45, 1992
Marty Roth, 45, 2005
Paul Bablot, 45, 1919
Walt Hansgen, 44, 1964
Jules Devigne, 43, 1916
Al Melcher, 42, 1917
Jules Moriceau, 42, 1919
Steve Kinser, 42, 1997
Bob Lazier, 42, 1981

Oldest Rookie non-qualifier/starter

Jim Reynolds, 59, 1919
Jack Ensley, 51, 1958
Nino Farina, 49, 1956
Jack Fairman, 49, 1962
Ab Jenkins, 48, 1931
Joe Giba, 48, 1958
Jean Alesi, 47, 2012
Jap Clemens, 47, 1911
Lindley Bothwell, 47, 1949
Louis Gerard, 47, 1946
Leroy van Connet, 47, 1982
Guido Dacco, 47, 1990

[Collombin]

he's quite some way off the oldest rookie yet

I doubt he will get another shot at it to be honest

[arttidesco]

Nice job Richard

On a pedantry note I am pretty sure Jack Hewitt was not in the 500 when I was there in [url="http://"%20<a%20href="http://www.psychoontyres.co.uk/indianapolis-excursion-indy-500-29th-may-1988/""%20target="_blank">http://www.psychoont...oli...may-1988/"</a>"]'88[/url] but qualified and started 22nd, inside 8th row in 1998 ?

[D-Type]

Isn't there a website full of Indy trivia of this sort?

[sherer]

didn't know Nino hadd a run at Indy. What's the story behind his entry ?

[Richard Jenkins]

Arttidesco, yep, sorry, 1998.

Farina had a few goes - http://www.indianapo...-at-ims-part-1/ http://www.uniquecar...eppe_farina.htm


But "Half-hearted" sums it up really.

[fbarrett]

How old was Fangio when he was there? Might never have qualified, but he did at least sit in the Dayton Foundry Special...

[arttidesco]

How old was Fangio when he was there? Might never have qualified, but he did at least sit in the Dayton Foundry Special...

Something like 7 weeks short of his 47th birthday.

[eldougo]

Good on Jean Alesi for having a go at this most difficult form of racing, i hope he has a great time going round and round.

[arttidesco]

Good on Jean Alesi for having a go at this most difficult form of racing, i hope he has a great time going round and round.

I'm sure he will have a better time of it he sticks to the oblong course

[Lee Nicolle]

No he isn't, he's the oldest rookie starter - he's quite some way off the oldest rookie yet

Oldest Starters:
Jean Alesi, 47, 2012
Jack Hewitt, 46, 1988
Christian Lautenschlager, 46, 1923
Lyn St. James, 45, 1992
Marty Roth, 45, 2005
Paul Bablot, 45, 1919
Walt Hansgen, 44, 1964
Jules Devigne, 43, 1916
Al Melcher, 42, 1917
Jules Moriceau, 42, 1919
Steve Kinser, 42, 1997
Bob Lazier, 42, 1981

Oldest Rookie non-qualifier/starter

Jim Reynolds, 59, 1919
Jack Ensley, 51, 1958
Nino Farina, 49, 1956
Jack Fairman, 49, 1962
Ab Jenkins, 48, 1931
Joe Giba, 48, 1958
Jean Alesi, 47, 2012
Jap Clemens, 47, 1911
Lindley Bothwell, 47, 1949
Louis Gerard, 47, 1946
Leroy van Connet, 47, 1982
Guido Dacco, 47, 1990

Steve Kinser drove Indy? Nascar yes without much success

[Tim Murray]

Kinser was classified 14th at Indy in 1997, having crashed out on lap 186:

http://www.champcars...ces/1997i05.htm

[ensign14]

Poor Jim Reynolds. Waits all his life for someone to invent the car, and then build a race-track, and when he finally gets a shot at it he DNQs...

[HistoryFan]

No he isn't, he's the oldest rookie starter - he's quite some way off the oldest rookie yet

Oldest Starters:
Jean Alesi, 47, 2012
Jack Hewitt, 46, 1988
Christian Lautenschlager, 46, 1923
Lyn St. James, 45, 1992
Marty Roth, 45, 2005
Paul Bablot, 45, 1919
Walt Hansgen, 44, 1964
Jules Devigne, 43, 1916
Al Melcher, 42, 1917
Jules Moriceau, 42, 1919
Steve Kinser, 42, 1997
Bob Lazier, 42, 1981

Oldest Rookie non-qualifier/starter

Jim Reynolds, 59, 1919
Jack Ensley, 51, 1958
Nino Farina, 49, 1956
Jack Fairman, 49, 1962
Ab Jenkins, 48, 1931
Joe Giba, 48, 1958
Jean Alesi, 47, 2012
Jap Clemens, 47, 1911
Lindley Bothwell, 47, 1949
Louis Gerard, 47, 1946
Leroy van Connet, 47, 1982
Guido Dacco, 47, 1990

Thank you very much for this lists!

[HistoryFan]

Al Melcher, 42, 1917
Jules Moriceau, 42, 1919

It was 1927 and 1929

[Lee Nicolle]

Kinser was classified 14th at Indy in 1997, having crashed out on lap 186:

http://www.champcars...ces/1997i05.htm

There ya go. I did not even know. There was a fair bit of comment about Jack Hewitt running at Indy but I cant remember any about Kinser.
Maybe it was because Jack was coming back after very serious injury. And personally I do not think Jack should have been there as he clearly was not 100% by a long way. But a very good competitor before his injury however and competent, just, after.

[Lemnpiper]

There ya go. I did not even know. There was a fair bit of comment about Jack Hewitt running at Indy but I cant remember any about Kinser.
Maybe it was because Jack was coming back after very serious injury. And personally I do not think Jack should have been there as he clearly was not 100% by a long way. But a very good competitor before his injury however and competent, just, after.

Lee,

keep in mind1997 was the year after the 1st race due to the split when drivers you never expected to land rides in the 500 did.

Kinser sorta gets lost in mention of doin Indy since he had a spectacular career in on the dirt while his 1997 effort while decent wasnt as great as his dirt track career. Plus his flop in Nascar prior sorta made many discount how good he would be at Indy based on the lack of very good prior results on asphalt.

I suppose like with Hewitt , Kinser got a chance to run once and afterwards decided that was enough and didnt return.

Paul

[E1pix]

As they'd say in Daytona, "sure wish that there Alesi had him some motor..."

But it's sure a pleasure seeing him at the Brickyard regardless!

I love it.

Edited by E1pix, 24 May 2012 - 07:21.

[Richard Jenkins]

No he isn't, he's the oldest rookie starter - he's quite some way off the oldest rookie yet


Oldest Rookie non-qualifier/starter

Jim Reynolds, 59, 1919
Jack Ensley, 51, 1958
Nino Farina, 49, 1956
Jack Fairman, 49, 1962
Carl Green, 49, 1925

 

Carl Green enters the oldest list, as he was 49 and a half when he attempted, somewhat relucantly, an "attempt" to qualify in 1925. Born just before Christmas - 23rd December - 1875. Just found this out today - also known as Pop Green.