Jerry Karl
Born(1941-04-29)29 April 1941
Jamaica, Queens, New York, United States
Died16 February 2008(2008-02-16) (aged 66)
Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Jerry Karl (April 29, 1941, Jamaica, Queens, New York - February 16, 2008, Baltimore, Maryland), was a 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, with his best finish in 7th position in 1974 at Ontario Motor Speedway.

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

  1. 1 2 Zautke, Steve. Jerry Karl 1941-2008 Archived 2011-02-08 at the Wayback Machine, racingnation.com, February 19, 2008
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