Remembering Gary Congdon

Gary Congdon was one of many young American open wheel driver from the 1960’s who made it to IndyCars, but sadly never reached the zenith of their careers. Congdon a native of Palmyra, Wisconsin started racing in 1956, becoming a winner on the tough Badger Midget Auto Racing Association (BMARA). After the 1963 season, Congdon moved to Southern California and began working for famed auto racing mechanic, Johnnie Pouelsen. Pouelsen worked for two of the best in the 1960’s, Parnelli Jones and A.J. Foyt. Congdon labored on racecars during the week and went West-coast racing on the weekends. Congdon eventually moved back to the Midwest in the summers and to drive the rough and tumble midgets and sprints on the competitive United States Auto Club (USAC) circuit. Eventually, Congdon’s success on the dirt caused the IndyCars owners to take note. Driving the 15-year old Harden Special, a car more familiarly known as ‘Basement Bessie’ Congdon drove six races (DNQ’d two others) and impressed owners with his steady drives.

In 1966 Congdon was tapped to drive Tassi Vatis’ sharp Huffaker-Offy. Congdon qualified the Bill Finley-wrenched rear-engine car midpack only to be caught up in the huge 16 car accident that took out nearly half the cars as the field took the green. Congdon’s low-key approach was evident when in a Milwaukee Journal interview before the “500” he told reporter, Mike Kupper, when asked, are you excited being in the race? “No, not especially. It’s something I’ve always wanted, of course, but I’m not honestly excited. I guess I don’t get very excited about anything. I kind of take things as they come.” Why did Congdon move to California? “Winter,” he told Kupper, “I didn’t like winter, so I moved to California. I come back east for most of my racing.”

Surprisingly to this author was the fact that in his short career, Congdon raced in 29 IndyCar races (1965-1967) with a best finish of fourth (twice) and 11 finishes ‘in the points’ (top-12). In 1967 at Indianapolis, Congdon drove for motorsports icon, Mickey Thompson, however neither the front-engine or rear-engine dragster styled Chevy-powered cars could break into the 33-car field. Later after Indy, he moved to the Jerry Eisert’s operation. Congdon drove the popular ‘batmobile’ owned by Frank Harrison. However Gary could only muster a 10th place finish at the tricky Langhorne paved oval.

As was the case in the 1960’s, drivers ran when they could, where they could. Late in the season, Congdon entered the USAC midget race at the challenging Terre Haute Action track on September 24th. After winning a heat, Congdon got caught up in an accident not of his doing. Congdon spun his Hamilton Offy, flipping over an inside guardrail causing fatal head injuries. Only 30 years old at the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Roberta, sons, James and Gary Paul. He is buried in Hillside Cemetery, in Walworth County, near Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Like many before him, one wonders what success awaited Congdon. Gary’s legacy lives with those of Bobby Marvin, Dick Atkins, Bobby Marshman, Ron Lux, among others, one wonders, what if?

Steve Zautke

Steve Zautke, a Milwaukee, WI native, was raised in the sport of auto racing. His father, Bill, was a movie photographer that shot racing footage at tracks such as the Milwaukee Mile and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the 1960’s and 1970’s Steve’s first professional job in racing was as an Emergency Medical Technician at tracks such as Angell Park and Hales Corners Speedway (1988-1991). Steve has also worked for the Milwaukee Mile as videographer, in media relations and historian (1993-2011). Steve also has worked as a reporter for Racing Information Systems (RIS) and has written features for ‘Vintage Oval Racing’ and ‘Victory Lane’ magazines. Most recently, Steve has written a book on Road America for Arcadia Publishing. ( http://www.amazon.com/Road-America-Nascar-Library-Collection/dp/1467111457 ) Steve co-hosts “Sparky’s Final Inspection” a motorsports-based radio show with hosts, Steve “Sparky” Fifer and “NASCAR Girl” Summer Santana on Sports Radio 1250AM in Milwaukee and is also available on the internet at www.Sportradio1250.com. A member of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Induction Committee, Steve follows all types of racing from the dirt tracks to Formula One.

racingnation.com

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