Tony Lee Bettenhausen, Jr. (1951 – 2000)

Auto racing is one of those professions that can get in the blood and be passed down from father to son — Andretti, Unser, Petty, and Earnhardt for example. The same with the Bettenhausen family. Tony, Sr. passed it down to his sons — Gary, Merle, and Tony, Jr. In 1981, Tony, Jr. got the big break he had been waiting for, a chance to drive in the Indianapolis 500. He came through, leading his small team and used car to a seventh-place finish and a second-place finish in Michigan just a few weeks later.

Tony ended up driving in 11 Indianapolis 500 races. By 1986, though still primarily a driver, he started his own race team. The team played a significant role in the sport and the family holds the record for the most combined Indy 500 starts without a victory.