Danny Oakes
Danny Oakes(July 18, 1911 – January 13, 2007) was an Americanmidget carhall of famedriver.
Early life[edit]
Daniel G. Oakes became interested in racing when he delivered morning and evening newspapers in his hometown ofSanta Barbara, California.His favorite day was Monday. He viewedModel Tcars powered byFrontenacmotors parked outside a downtown Santa Barbara restaurant when the professional racecar drivers fromSan Franciscocame to town. Oakes fantasized about the day he would become a race driver.[1]
He began attending races atLegion 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[edit]
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 ofWorld War II,as all racing halted during the war.[1][2]Oakes was a flight inspector atLockheed.[1]
Oakes won the first race after the war atGilmore Stadium,the 1945Turkey Night Grand Prix.He won the 1947 PacificAAAmidget car championship. He later won the 1959 Pacific CoastUSACchampionship. Oakes holds the 40-lap record at Gilmore.
He drove for 25 years in the midget cars andChampionship cars,but he was unable to qualify for anyIndianapolis 500races as a driver. He attempted from 1952 to 1955. He was bumped from the field in 1954, and he did not complete his attempt in 1952. He stood by as a relief driver for his friendAlberto Ascari,but Ascari'sFerrariwas eliminated before his first pit stop.[3]
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[edit]
He did set up theJim Hurtubise's car in 1960, which won the pole for theIndianapolis 500by three miles per hour. Hurtubise won theIndianapolis 500 Rookie of the Yearaward. Oakes was alsocrew chiefforJohnny Whitehis1964Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year performance. His final attempt at Indy at qualifyingPaul Goldsmithin1965ended after mechanical failure.
Career award[edit]
- Oakes was inducted in theNational Midget Auto Racing Hall of Famein 1996.[2]
Death[edit]
Oakes died inHuntington Beach, Californiaon January 13, 2007, aged 95.[4]
References[edit]
- ^abcdMittman, Dick (August 19, 2003)."Oakes played right tune with Indy roadster engines".Indianapolismotorspeedway.com.Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2007.
- ^ab"Danny Oakes".Worthyofhonor.com.National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 4,2007.
- ^Davidson, Donald(January 17, 2007)."Noted Indianapolis 500 chief mechanic Oakes dies at 95".Indianapolismotorspeedway.com.Archived fromthe originalon December 12, 2007.
- ^Peltz, Jim (January 18, 2007)."Danny Oakes, 95; champion West Coast midget-car racer and Indy 500 mechanic".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on May 3, 2017.