The American motorsports world lost two giants the weekend of August 22-24. On Saturday morning, the news broke that Karl Kainhofer, the first hire for Penske Racing had passed at the age of 94. Later that day, we heard that Forrest Lucas, 83, had also died.
Austrian-born Kainhofer was a Porsche-trained mechanic who became Roger Penske’s personal mechanic as the Pennsylvanian began his brief driving career. When Penske started his self-named team, Kainhofer was the first person he hired; Penske’s second hire was driver Mark Donohue. Together they flourished in the Can-Am Series, Formula 5000, INDYCAR and into Formula 1.
Once in Penske’s employ, Kainhofer remained with the team as head of the Reading, PA-based engine shop until retiring in 1997. During his career, Kainhofer was part of a remarkable 170 victories, including 10 of Penske’s 20 Indianapolis 500 wins at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Penske, who now claims ownership of teams in INDYCAR, NASCAR, IMSA and WEC, together with majority ownership of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indianapolis Moto Speedway, remembered Kainhofer with affection:
“Karl Kainhofer’s contributions to Team Penske are immeasurable,” Penske confirmed. “As my mechanic while I was still a driver, Karl’s meticulous attention to detail was a perfect fit for what we wanted in our race team. Along with Mark Donohue, he and I set out to build Team Penske on the same foundational pillars that we use today.
“Respect, integrity, passion and a will to win were our hallmarks then as they are nearly 60 years later,” he said. “Karl was a terrific friend and a great teammate that held numerous positions within our team, helping us to countless wins and championships across many series. Our family shares our condolences with the entire Kainhofer family.”
Kainhofer was known for his willingness to share information and to help others who needed his expertise. Ian Bisco, who ran the Torrance, CA offices of Cosworth Engineering remarked, “Back in the 1980s, I spent a lot of time on the phone talking DFX engines with Karl,” he said, calling him “a very nice man with great engineering knowledge. We’d discuss updates to cylinder head ports and Karl would send me cylinder heads to bore and fit larger valves.” Kainhofer helped Cosworth instigate new design revisions to the DFX’s first gear, when breakage issues kept arising, Bisco told me.
Former Team Penske mechanic Timothy Bumps admitted, “Karl was responsible for me getting completely hooked on racing at age 9, at my first Indianapolis 500 in 1972. Seeing the polished suspensions, wheels, turbo intake tubing and more, glistening in the sun on Mark Donohue’s car was incredible. I decided that day,” he said, “I was going to do whatever it took to work for Penske Racing someday.”
Kainhofer was among the first four inductees to the Team Penske Hall of Fame, joining Roger Penske and Mark Donohue, first into the hall, while he and four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears were the second group inducted. During the May 2017 acknowledgement of his entry, Kainhofer noted, “I’m just happy to be here and to have played a role in what Team Penske has become today. I’ve made a lot of good memories over the years, and had the chance to experience a lot of amazing moments. Today is just another one of those.”
Gordon Kirby’s 2016 masterpiece, “Penske’s Maestro: Karl Kainhofer and the History of Penske Racing” fully illustrates the contributions of this kind and gentle man to the history of one of the most successful race teams in the history of motor sport.
As the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season concludes on Nashville Superspeedway this coming Sunday, the tributes to Karl Kainhofer and his contributions to the sport will be ongoing.
Forrest Lucas, who was similar to Karl Kainhofer in making his way in the sport with little but his talents and ability to galvanize those around him to succeed, passed later in the day. He was a self-made entrepreneur whose small company, begun in 1989 with the support of wife Charlotte, started small yet became a global enterprise, Lucas Oil Products.
Born in rural Indiana, he was a long-haul truck driver before launching his firm, now a staple in trucking, everyday automotive use and, of course, in racing, where the Lucas Oil colors star in NHRA’s four Mission Foods Drag Racing Series classes (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle), along with the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Series and in NASCAR, INDYCAR and other major and grassroots motorsports activities. The family company regularly sponsors races around the country and has dedicated itself to producing the finest lubricants for the sport.
Forrest Lucas has awarded sponsorship to a variety of racers in a variety of series, including Pro Stock Motorcycle standouts Hector Arana Sr and Jr., NHRA’s Funny Car GOAT John Force, icon Chris Karamesines, to whom Lucas bestowed a lifetime sponsorship, to Kyle Busch in NASCAR competition. Forrest Lucas stepped away from day-to-day operations of his company in a gradual manner, turning over the operation to son – and former Top Fuel and Top Alcohol Dragster racer – Morgan Lucas, who has helped to expand the firm’s motorsports presence, emphasizing the family’s dedication to grassroots racing.
In acknowledging his death, Lucas Oil Products’ statement said, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our founder Forrest Lucas. Forrest’s boundless drive for Lucas Oil, his generosity and love for his family, friends, and community defined his life. While we grieve this tremendous loss, we take comfort in knowing his legacy will continue to inspire our team and all who knew him.”
Anyone that knew him realized, “Forrest Lucas was the ultimate American success story. And the greatest example of American entrepreneurship,” said Mike Lewis, former Maple Grove Raceway and Don Schumacher Racing executive. “He developed a great product line, marketed Lucas Oil through racing, primarily NHRA, and shook more hands than any politician. I’ve missed his presence in recent years but will never forget his kindness and the eye-to-eye connection that came with every handshake. My deepest condolences to Charlotte, Morgan, Katie, the whole Lucas Family and everyone who knew and loved Forrest Lucas.”
A multi-generational member of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and team sponsored by Lucas Oil, the family of Emmons Motorsports (Houston, TX) had this to say: “The passing of Forrest Lucas has landed heavy on our hearts. Every person in our drag racing community — and well beyond it — knows the name Forrest Lucas, but more than that, we’ve all been impacted by what this incredible man first dreamt of and then brought to life. It’s a true legacy.” the team’s statement read.
“It is with great pride that we carry the Lucas Oil livery on our rig, race cars, and uniforms. The Lucas name stands for so much: ingenuity, resourcefulness, dedication, determination, leadership, a strong work ethic…. all qualities that we strive to emulate. Thank you, Forrest, for your contributions to this sport that we so love. To the Lucas family, we hold you in our hearts. It is a tremendous honor to represent Lucas Oil this coming week at the U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.”
The 71st annual Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals alight at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park this week; no doubt the tributes will be as quick and as powerful as the on-track action.
God bless You Forrest, and God bless the Lucas family. My condolences 🙏