Al Keller

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Al Keller
BornAlvah August Keller
(1920-04-11)April 11, 1920
Alexander, New York, U.S.
DiedNovember 19, 1961(1961-11-19) (aged 41)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
NASCAR Cup Series career
29 races run over 6 years
Best finish32nd (1949)
First race1949 Race 4 (Langhorne)
Last race1956 Race 9 (Lakewood)
First win1954 Race 5 (Savannah)
Last win1954 International 100 (Linden Airport)
Wins Top tens Poles
2 12 1
Champ Car career
31 races run over 8 years
Years active1954–1961
Best finish5th – 1961
First race1954 Syracuse 100 (Syracuse)
Last race1961 Bobby Ball Memorial (ASF)
Wins Podiums Poles
0 4 2
Formula One World Championship career
Active years19551960
TeamsKurtis Kraft, Kuzma
Entries6 (5 starts)
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points0
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1955 Indianapolis 500
Last entry1960 Indianapolis 500

Alvah August “Al” Keller[1] (April 11, 1920 in Alexander, New York – November 19, 1961 in Phoenix, Arizona) was an American racecar driver.

NASCAR

Keller participated in the NASCAR Strictly Stock/Grand National series from 1949 to 1956 with 29 career starts. He won two races during the 1954 season and was the first driver in the history of NASCAR's top division to have won a race in a foreign-built car. Keller won the 1954 Grand National road-race at the Linden Airport in New Jersey, driving a Jaguar owned by big band leader Paul Whiteman. He also won by a two-lap margin at Oglethorpe Speedway in 1954.[2]

IndyCar

In 1954 Keller began a transition to Championship Cars. He drove in the AAA and USAC Champ Car series, racing in the 1954-1959 and 1961 seasons with 32 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 six times. He was involved in the crash that killed Bill Vukovich in 1955. He finished in the top ten 13 times, with a best finish of 2nd two times (Atlanta in 1956, and Milwaukee in 1961). His best Indy 500 finish was 5th in 1961.

Death

Keller died as a result of injuries sustained in a Champ Car crash at the Arizona State Fairgrounds track.

Indianapolis 500 results

References

  1. ^ "Al Keller". www.champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  2. ^ Albert, Zack (January 2, 2020). "Driver by Number: Connections and success with every car number". NASCAR.com. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  • Al Keller driver statistics at Racing-Reference