Ueal Eugene"Pat"Patrick(March 10, 1929 – January 5, 2021)[1]was an American racing team owner. He was the founder and owner ofPatrick Racing,a team that competed inIndy car racing.Patrick was also one of the founding members ofChampionship Auto Racing Teams(CART) in 1978, and theIndy Lightsseries in 1986. In addition, he and LeRoy Scott were founders ofPatrick Petroleumin 1962.
Early life
editUeal Patrick was born inKentuckyin 1929, and moved at a young age toJackson, Michigan.Patrick was initially an accountant, but left the field to go into oil exploration.[2]Striking oil on its 19th attempt, Patrick Petroleum (later known as Patrick Energy) became a financial success.[3]
Motorsports career
editPatrick started hisIndy car racingcareer as a sponsor of the team fielded by fellow Jackson oilmanWalt Michnerin 1967. He became a co-owner of the team in 1970 and established Patrick Racing with LeRoy Scott, his partner in the oil business.
The Patrick Racing team won the1973,1982and1989 Indianapolis 500.Emerson Fittipaldiwon theIndy cartitle for Pat in 1989. DriversAdrian FernandezandRoberto Morenofinished second and third in the 2000 series, which was the last time his cars were front-runners. He ran a car forAl Unser Jr.in theIndy Racing Leaguein 2004, but after Unser's retirement, Patrick put the team up for sale at the end of the year.[4]
Patrick resided inJackson, Michigan,andPhoenix, Arizona.He died in Phoenix at 91 years old.[1]
Awards
editHe was inducted into theMotorsports Hall of Fame of Americain 2018.[5]
References
edit- ^abMiller, Robin (6 January 2021)."Longtime IndyCar entrant Pat Patrick dies, aged 91".Racer.Racer Media & Marketing Inc.Retrieved2021-01-06.
- ^"Risk-Taking Rogue Pat Patrick Strikes it Big in Oil -- and Racing".Chicagotribune.August 14, 1998.Retrieved2019-05-22.
- ^"Patrick Energy, Company History".[dead link]
- ^"Mario Andretti and U.E. 'Pat' Patrick Step Down from Cart Champ Car Board".The Auto Channel.Retrieved2024-09-19.
- ^"U.E. Pat Patrick".Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.Retrieved2024-09-19.
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