Fred Levon Agabashian (August 21, 1913 – October 13, 1989) was an American racing driver who built an outstanding reputation in both midget car and championship racing. Well-known for his speed, consistency and technical understanding, he became one of the most respected drivers of his generation.
Driver Bio
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Modesto, California, United States |
| Born | 21 August 1913 |
| Died | 13 October 1989 |
| First Grand Prix | 1950 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last Grand Prix | 1957 Indianapolis 500 |
| Years Active | 1950–1958 |
| Current/Last Team | Kurtis Kraft |
Agabashian began racing midget cars while still in his teenage years and quickly established himself as one of the leading drivers on the West Coast. His first major title came in 1937 when he won the Northern California Racing Association championship, defeating a strong field that included Duane Carter, Lynn Deister and Paul Swedberg. Following the interruption of World War II, he returned to the top by capturing the 1946 Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA) championship driving for Jack London. He successfully defended his status over the next two seasons, winning consecutive BCRA titles in 1947 and 1948 for legendary car owner George Bignotti.
Championship racing
Agabashian made his Indianapolis 500 debut in 1947, producing an impressive ninth-place finish in his first appearance. He went on to qualify for the next 11 consecutive editions of the race, becoming one of the Speedway’s most familiar faces during the 1950s. His finest Indianapolis result came in 1953, when he finished fourth after enduring one of the hottest race days in the event’s history, sharing the driving duties with Paul Russo.
One year earlier, Agabashian had secured one of the most memorable pole positions in Indianapolis 500 history. Driving the innovative Cummins Diesel Special—the first turbocharged diesel-powered car to start from pole position—he stunned the field by recording the fastest qualifying time for the 1952 race. Although the groundbreaking machine ultimately retired after 71 laps, its performance demonstrated the growing importance of engineering innovation in American open-wheel racing.
Away from Indianapolis, Agabashian claimed victory in a 100-mile Championship race at the California State Fairgrounds in Sacramento in 1949, the only championship win of his career. He remained a regular competitor until 1958, when he failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 and subsequently retired from driving.
Broadcaster
Following his retirement from competition, Agabashian remained closely involved with the sport as a broadcaster. He joined the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network as a colour commentator, serving from 1959 to 1965 before returning for a second spell between 1973 and 1977. His experience behind the wheel made him a respected and insightful voice for generations of Indianapolis 500 listeners.
Death
Agabashian died on 13 October 1989 at his home in Alamo, California. He was later cremated, bringing to a close the life of one of America’s pioneering open-wheel racers.
Recognition
Agabashian’s achievements were recognised long after his driving career had ended. He was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in honour of his outstanding contribution to midget racing, and in 2005 he was posthumously inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, celebrating his lasting legacy as both a competitor and an innovator at the Indianapolis 500.
Grand Prix Stats
| Race Entries | 9 |
| Race Starts | 8 |
| Did Not Start | 0 |
| Best Race Start | 1st |
| Best Race Finish | 4th |
| Retirements | 6 |
| First-Lap Retirements | 0 |
| Not Classified | 0 |
| Disqualified | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 1 |
Pole Positions
| Pole Positions | 1 |
| First Pole | 1952 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last Pole | 1952 Indianapolis 500 |
| Most Consecutive Poles | 0 |
| Most Poles in a Single Season | 1 (1952) |
| Seasons with Poles | 1 |
Qualifying
| Qualifying Sessions | 8 |
| Reached Q3 | – |
| Q2 Eliminations | – |
| Q1 Eliminations | – |
| Did Not Qualify | 1 |
Points
| Points Scored | 1.5 |
| Points Finishes | 1 |
| Most Points in a Single Season | 1.50 (1953) |
| Seasons with Points | 1 |
Front Row Starts
| Front Row Starts | 3 |
| Poles | 1 |
| 2nd on Grid | 2 |
| Most Front Row Starts in a Season | 1 |
| Seasons with Front Row Starts | 3 |
Stats by Season
| Year | Constructor | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Pts Finishes | Points | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Kurtis Kraft / Maserati | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2nd | 25th | 0 | 0.0 | NC |
| 1951 | Kurtis Kraft | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11th | 17th | 0 | 0.0 | NC |
| 1952 | Kurtis Kraft | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1st | 27th | 0 | 0.0 | NC |
| 1953 | Kurtis Kraft | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2nd | 4th | 1 | 1.5 | 18th |
| 1954 | Kurtis Kraft | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24th | 6th | 0 | 0.0 | NC |
| 1955 | Kurtis Kraft | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4th | 32nd | 0 | 0.0 | NC |
| 1956 | Kurtis Kraft | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30th | 12th | 0 | 0.0 | NC |
| 1957 | Kurtis Kraft | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 31st | 22nd | 0 | 0.0 | NC |
Stats by Constructor
| Constructor | Years | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Pts Finishes | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kurtis Kraft | 1950–1957 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 1st | 4th | 1 | 1.5 |
| Maserati | 1950 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2nd | 25th | 0 | 0 |
