Wally Dallenbach has Passed

Wally Dallenbach, easily the most proficient leader in CART/INDYCAR race control has joined his beloved wife, Peppy. Dallenbach passed in his sleep, April 29, his devastated family said. He was 87 years old.

Born in East Brunswick, New Jersey, Wally Dallenbach began his racing career in the driver’s seat and earned a best finish of fourth place in the Indianapolis 500 twice, in 1976 and 1977. He made 13 starts in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, mostly driving the No. 40 Wildcat/DGS owned by U.E. “Pat” Patrick, qualifying in the middle of the front row in 1974 for the erstwhile oil man.

In 1975, Wally Dallenbach had his most memorable race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, again driving for Mr. Patrick. He led four times, a race-high 96 laps in the 200-lap contest, only losing his lead during pit stop exchanges. Just 12 laps before the race was called due to rain squalls, Dallenbach suffered the cruel fate of having a burnt piston take him out of the contest while in the lead, handing the race win to Bobby Unser, who claimed his second Indy 500 win. Dallenbach was credited with a ninth-place result.

In his 180 INDYCAR SERIES entries as a driver, Dallenbach earned five wins, took 27 podium finishes and a single pole position. His best championship result was second place to Roger McCluskey in 1973. This came despite his inability to qualify for the first two races of the 1973 campaign.

While he was known during his driving career as an oval master, Wally Dallenbach began his racing career in straight-line motorsports, an easy way to get started with drag strips like Englishtown, Atco and even Maple Grove close by his New Jersey home. He switched to midgets and sprints, making his first INDYCAR start in 1965 at Pennsylvania’s Langhorne Speedway. His final race start as a driver came in 1979 on the Phoenix Raceway mile oval.

In an unusual 1981 Indianapolis 500 that was beset by rain on the first weekend of qualifying, Mario Andretti had a prior commitment to compete in the Belgian Grand Prix Formula One race during the second weekend of qualifying. Dallenbach briefly exited retirement to put Andretti’s No. 40 STP Oil Treatment Wildcat/Cosworth safely in the field before returning the car to Andretti for the race. That was the “500” where Bobby Unser won, then lost, then won the race after USAC officials accused the New Mexico racer of illegally passing cars exiting pit road during a caution period. The car Dallenbach qualified, and Andretti raced, finished second/first/second in that contest.

Following his official retirement as a driver in 1979, in 1980 Wally Dallenbach was named competition director and chief steward of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART). He continued in that post until 2004, when he again retired. During his time in race control, Dallenbach earned respect from the CART paddock and motor sports sanctions worldwide for his even-handed job of officiating and his humble, compassionate performance in those two very tough jobs. He was easy to spot in the pits and paddock, with his cowboy hat and boots omnipresent.

He has also received recognition for his contributions to the safety of auto racing, with many of his innovations being picked up by sanctions other than CART. Dallenbach’s work with Doctors Steve Olvey and Terry Trammell, together with safety directors Steve Edwards and Lon Bromley, led to the establishment of the traveling CART Safety Team, comprised of doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians that worked with the teams and car builders to initiate improvements to chassis construction, including the use of energy absorption materials in the cars.

After Wally and Peppy Dallenbach moved to Basalt, Colorado following his successful 1973 season, they organized the Colorado 500 dirt-bike ride with Wally’s buddy Sherm Cooper. Begun in 1976, by 1981 the invitation-only gathering had grown so big that the Colorado 500 Charity Fund was established. A road ride was added in 1987. Those rides have raised more than $1.2 million for scholarships, medical centers, teen services, scouting and other charities, including groups that preserve areas for trail riding.

As noted by public relations professional Adam Saal, “So glad he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2020. The events of the year delayed the induction ceremony for more than a year and neither Wally nor Peppy were able to attend. Wally is a true ‘Hero of Horsepower’ whose legacy and achievements will live forever,” he said. Dallenbach has been inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, the Pikes Peak International Hill Club Hall of Fame, together with state sports halls of fame in his native New Jersey and adopted Colorado.

Dallenbach was remembered by his teammate, two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Gordon Johncock. Teammates for six seasons at Patrick Racing, Johncock recognized the value Dallenbach brought to the team: “Wally was as good a teammate as you could ever ask for. He took racing seriously,” Johncock stated. “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.”

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR noted Dallenbach’s passing together; “Wally Dallenbach made a huge contribution to our sport for fie decades as a drier and official,” their statement read. “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.” Dallenbach, joins wife Peppy, who passed in 2023. They are survived by three children: two sons, former NASCAR Cup Series racer Wally Jr. and multiple Pikes Peak International Hill Climb winner Paul, together with daughter Colleen.

Paul Dallenbach stated a Celebration of Life for his father will be held, but the date and time have not yet been determined. “Wally is up in heaven taking his victory lap with Peppy,” he said.