Frank DelRoy
American auto racing official
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Frank Jerry DelRoy (born Frank DeRosa, November 7, 1912 – April 23, 1978) was an American auto racing official and race car builder.[1][2]
November 7, 1912
Auto racing mechanic
Frank DelRoy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Frank DeRosa November 7, 1912 |
| Died | April 23, 1978 (aged 65) Rush County, Indiana, U.S. |
| Resting place | Crown Hill Cemetery and Arboretum, Section 224, Lot 866 |
| Occupations | Auto racing official Auto racing mechanic |
Early life
DelRoy was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was raised in Paterson, New Jersey, the location of racing's original "Gasoline Alley."[3]
Career
DelRoy began his racing career at age 18, while serving as a chauffeur in Madison, New Jersey.[4] He served as riding mechanic for the pole-winning car of Bill Cummings at the 1937 Indianapolis 500.[3] After his time serving as a riding mechanic, DelRoy worked in a purely off-track capacity for racers such as Ted Horn and Mike Nazaruk.[2]
In 1958, DelRoy was hired as a technical official by the newly-formed United States Auto Club (USAC). In 1970 he was appointed USAC's Technical Director.[3] His responsibilities included control over certification of cars for the Indianapolis 500.[5]
DelRoy's cars competed in one round of the FIA World Championship - the 1953 Indianapolis 500.
Death and legacy
On April 23, 1978, DelRoy – by then Chairman of the USAC Technical Committee – along with a pilot and seven other USAC officials, was killed when his flight home from a race in Trenton, New Jersey, crashed in a farm field south of Indianapolis, Indiana.[6][1]
In 2017, DelRoy was elected to the USAC Hall of Fame.[3]
Select Indianapolis 500 results
| Season | Driver | Grid | Classification | Points | Note | Race Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Johnny Thomson | 33 | Ret | Ignition | Report |