Wally Dallenbach – a respected INDYCAR race-winning driver, longtime series official and true “open-wheel good guy” – died on Monday, April 29, 2024. Mr. Dallenbach was 87.

A native of East Brunswick, N.J., Dallenbach made 13 Indianapolis 500 starts between 1967-79. His best finish was fourth, in 1976 and 1977, in the No. 40 Wildcat/DGS fielded by Patrick Racing. Dallenbach qualified in the middle of the three-car front row at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1974 for car-owner U.E. “Pat” Patrick, his best start in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Perhaps Dallenbach’s most memorable performance as driver at IMS came during the 59^th edition of the race on May 25, 1975, again for car-owner Patrick. Dallenbach led four times for a race-high 96 laps in the No. 40 Sinmast Wildcat, losing the top spot only during pit stops. However, Dallenbach’s car was eliminated from the race by a burned piston while leading on Lap 162, just 12 laps before the race was called due to rain after 174 of the scheduled 200 laps. Bobby Unser went on to earn his second 500 victory, while Dallenbach was credited with ninth place.

Dallenbach recorded five victories, 27 podium finishes and one pole in 180 INDYCAR starts. His best championship finish was second, behind Roger McCluskey, in 1973 despite not qualifying for the season’s first two races.

Dallenbach scored his signature victory in the 1973 California 500 at Ontario Motor Speedway, the last of his three straight wins that season for Patrick Racing.

Dallenbach began his motorsports career in drag racing on the East Coast before switching to oval racing in Midgets and Sprint Cars. He made his INDYCAR debut in 1965 at Langhorne (Pa.) Speedway, with his final start coming in 1979 at Phoenix International Raceway. He then retired as a driver, although it wasn’t his last appearance in an open-wheel race car.

In 1981, rain severely curtailed the first weekend of Indianapolis 500 qualifying, preventing 1969 race champion Mario Andretti from making an attempt. Andretti faced a clashing commitment to compete in the Belgian Grand Prix Formula One race during the second qualifying weekend at IMS. Enter Dallenbach, who briefly exited retirement to place Andretti’s No. 40 STP Oil Treatment Wildcat/Cosworth safely in the field before turning the car back to Andretti for a race that finished in controversy.

Pole-winner Bobby Unser originally took the checkered flag in the No. 3 Norton Spirit Penske/Cosworth, with Andretti finishing second by 5.18-seconds. But Andretti’s Patrick Racing team protested the outcome, claiming Unser had violated the U.S. Auto Club’s “blend-in rule” while returning to the track after a late-race pit stop under yellow. USAC officials declared Andretti the winner the following morning, leading to a summer of back-and-forth court decisions that ultimately returned the victory to Unser.

After his initial retirement, Dallenbach served as first competition director and chief steward of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) in 1980. He continued as chief steward until 2004 – easily recognized by his trademark cowboy hat – while earning respect from all corners of the paddock for his even-handed officiating and humble, personable demeanor.

Dallenbach also made significant contributions to racing safety. He worked with doctors Steve Olvey and Terry Trammell and safety directors Steve Edwards and Lon Bromley to develop a trailblazing safety team including doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians that traveled to all CART races. He also worked with teams and car-builders to create improvements in chassis construction, including use of more energy-absorbing materials.

“Wally Dallenbach made a huge contribution to our sport for five decades as a driver and official,” a joint statement from INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway said. “He was a talented competitor behind the wheel, who always raced hard but clean.

“That sense of fairness and decency extended to his legendary tenure as chief steward of CART, where he was respected and liked by all for his steady, sensible officiating. Wally’s many contributions to racing safety, especially a traveling medical team, will resonate long into the future. He was one of the true ‘good guys’ of open-wheel racing, and our thoughts and sympathies are with his family.”

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Gordon Johncock was Dallenbach’s teammate for six seasons at Patrick Racing.

“Wally was as good a teammate as you could ever ask for,” said Johncock, the Indy 500 champion in 1973 and 1982. “He took racing seriously. I’ve never met anyone at the track as helpful as Wally. He loved the sport and after he retired spent years helping as chief steward of Championship Auto Racing Teams. He helped the veterans and rookies – everyone. I’ll miss him. He did a lot for the sport over the years. A very good man.”

Away from his official duties, Dallenbach was passionate about motorcycles. He moved to a ranch in Basalt, Colo., after his successful 1973 season _ fulfilling a dream that began during his honeymoon in 1960 in Aspen – and organized the Colorado 500 dirt-bike ride with friend Sherm Cooper in 1976.

By 1981, the invitation-only event had grown so big that the Colorado 500 Charity Fund was established, with a road ride added in 1987. The ride has raised more than $1.2-million for scholarship funds, medical centers, teen services, scouting and other charities, including groups that preserve trail-riding areas.

Dallenbach’s vast and varied accomplishments have been recognized with enshrinement in multiple halls of fame, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Hall of Fame and state sports halls of fame in his native New Jersey and Colorado.

Dallenbach’s wife, Peppy, passed away in 2023. He is survived by three children – former NASCAR Cup Series driver Wally Jr. and multiple Pikes Peak International Hill Climb-winner Paul, and a daughter, Colleen.