Bud Tingelstad (4 April 1928 – 30 July 1981) was an American racing driver who enjoyed a long career in USAC Championship Car racing during the 1960s and early 1970s. A regular competitor on the American open-wheel scene, he made numerous appearances at the Indianapolis 500 and claimed a single Championship Car victory during his career.
Driver Bio
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Frazee, Minnesota, USA |
| Born | 4 April 1928 |
| Died | 30 July 1981 |
| First Grand Prix | 1960 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last Grand Prix | 1960 Indianapolis 500 |
| Years Active | 1960 |
| Current/Last Team | Trevis |
Career
Born in Frazee, Minnesota, Tingelstad competed in the USAC Championship Car Series from 1960 to 1971, establishing himself as a dependable and consistent presence on the championship trail. Over the course of his career, he made 120 Championship Car starts and became a familiar face at many of America’s leading oval circuits.
The Indianapolis 500 featured prominently throughout his career. Tingelstad attempted to qualify for the race every year from 1960 to 1972, successfully making the starting grid on all but three occasions. He failed to qualify in 1961, 1970 and 1972, but otherwise became a regular starter at the famous Brickyard.
His finest Indianapolis 500 performance came in 1964 when he finished an impressive sixth, helping him secure a career-best fifth place in the USAC Championship standings that same season.
Across his Championship Car career, Tingelstad recorded 56 top-ten finishes and claimed his only series victory at DuQuoin in 1966, a highlight of an otherwise remarkably consistent racing record.
World Championship career summary
The Indianapolis 500 counted towards the FIA World Championship between 1950 and 1960, meaning drivers who started the race during those seasons were officially credited with Formula One World Championship participation.
Through his appearance in the 1960 Indianapolis 500, Tingelstad made one Formula One World Championship start. He did not qualify on pole position, win a race, record a fastest lap or finish on the podium, and he did not score any World Championship points.
Death
Tingelstad died of a heart attack on 30 July 1981 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was 53 years.
Grand Prix Stats
| Race Entries | 1 |
| Race Starts | 1 |
| Did Not Start | 0 |
| Best Race Start | 28th |
| Best Race Finish | 9th |
| Retirements | 0 |
| First-Lap Retirements | 0 |
| Not Classified | 0 |
| Disqualified | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 0 |
Qualifying
| Qualifying Sessions | 1 |
| Reached Q3 | 0 |
| Q2 Eliminations | 0 |
| Q1 Eliminations | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 0 |
Stats by Season
| Year | Constructor | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Pts Finishes | Points | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Trevis | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28th | 9th | 0 | 0 | NC |
