Jerry Karl
Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Main otherScript error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Wikidata image Jerry Karl (April 29, 1941, Jamaica, Queens, New York - February 16, 2008, Baltimore, Maryland), was an American driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series.
Biography
Starting out in midget car racing and sprint car racing, Karl made his Champ Car debut in 1969 and qualified for his first Indy 500 in 1973 driving an Eagle chassis powered by a twin-turbo Chevrolet V8 engine fielded by legendary car owner Smokey Yunick.[1] He raced for another team in 1974, but returned to drive for Yunick in 1974 and finished 13th at Indy.
In 1980, Karl entered the CART series and began modifying his own McLaren chassis that he dubbed the McLaren-Karl. In the final race of the 1980 season at Phoenix International Raceway, Karl and his chassis ran at the front of the field in second place until engine trouble dropped him back to 9th.[1]
In total, Karl raced in the 1969-1984 seasons, with 74 combined career starts, including the 1973–1975, 1978, and 1980-1981 Indianapolis 500. He finished in the top ten 8 times. His best finish was in 7th position in 1974 at the Ontario Motor Speedway in a 100-miler.
Later years
Karl later owned a racing products distributor in Wellsville, Pennsylvania.
Death
Karl died at the age of 66 due to a road car crash in Baltimore on February 16, 2008.
Indianapolis 500 results
| Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Gerhardt | Chevrolet | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1971 | Gerhardt | Chevrolet | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1972 | Gerhardt | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1973 | Eagle | Chevrolet | 28th | 26th |
| 1974 | Eagle | Offy | 19th | 19th |
| 1975 | Eagle | Chevrolet | 20th | 13th |
| 1976 | Eagle | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1977 | Vollstedt | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1978 | McLaren | Offy | 28th | 14th |
| 1979 | McLaren | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1980 | McLaren | Chevrolet | 28th | 21st |
| 1981 | McLaren | Chevrolet | 31st | 15th |
| 1982 | Purcell | Chevrolet | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1983 | Wildcat | Cosworth | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1984 | Penske | Cosworth | Practice Crash | |
| 1985 | March | Cosworth | Failed to Qualify |
References
External links
Template:Machinists Union Racing
- ↑ a b Zautke, Steve. Jerry Karl 1941-2008 Template:Webarchive, racingnation.com, February 19, 2008
- Pages with script errors
- 1941 births
- 2008 deaths
- Sportspeople from York County, Pennsylvania
- Racing drivers from Pennsylvania
- Champ Car drivers
- Indianapolis 500 drivers
- Road incident deaths in Maryland
- USAC Silver Crown Series drivers
- Racing drivers from New York City
- Sportspeople from Queens, New York
- People from Jamaica, Queens