Jimmy Daywalt

James Edward “Jimmy” Daywalt (28 August 1924 – 4 April 1966) was an American racing driver who competed in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series during the 1950s and early 1960s. Best remembered for his impressive Indianapolis 500 debut, Daywalt earned Rookie of the Year honours in 1953 and established himself as a worthy competitor in American open-wheel racing.

Driver Bio

Nationality	American
Birthplace	Wabash, Indiana, USA
Born	28 August 1924
Died	4 April 1966
First Grand Prix	1953 Indianapolis 500
Last Grand Prix	1959 Indianapolis 500
Years Active	1951–1960
Current/Last Team	Kurtis Kraft

Early Life

Born in Wabash, Indiana, on 28 August 1924, Daywalt served his country during the Second World War as a tail gunner aboard B-24 Liberator bombers with the United States Army Air Corps’ 392nd Bomb Group.

Following the war, he returned home and turned his attention to motorsport, embarking on a career in championship open-wheel racing.

Racing Career

Daywalt competed in the AAA and later USAC Championship Car series across multiple seasons, racing in 1950, from 1953 to 1957, again in 1959, and finally during the 1961 and 1962 campaigns.

Across 20 Championship Car starts, he recorded three top-ten finishes, proving himself to be a capable and consistent competitor against some of the strongest fields in American racing.

The highlight of his career came at the 1953 Indianapolis 500. Making his debut in the famous race, Daywalt delivered an outstanding performance to finish sixth overall. His impressive drive earned him the prestigious Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award, marking him as one of the event’s standout newcomers.

Because the Indianapolis 500 formed part of the Formula One World Championship between 1950 and 1960, Daywalt’s appearances at the Brickyard are also officially recognised within Formula One history.

Legacy

Jimmy Daywalt died from cancer in Indianapolis, Indiana, on 4 April 1966 at the age of 41. He was laid to rest at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

Although his racing career was relatively brief, Daywalt is remembered for his courageous wartime service, his strong performances in American Championship Car racing, and his memorable Indianapolis 500 debut, which earned him Rookie of the Year honours in one of motorsport’s greatest races.

Grand Prix Stats

Race Entries	10
Race Starts	6
Did Not Start	0
Best Race Start	2nd
Best Race Finish	6th
Retirements	3
First-Lap Retirements	0
Not Classified	0
Disqualified	0
Did Not Qualify	4

Qualifying

Qualifying Sessions	10
Reached Q3	0
Q2 Eliminations	0
Q1 Eliminations	0
Did Not Qualify	4

Front Row Starts

Front Row Starts	1
Poles	0
2nd on Grid	–
Most Front Row Starts in a Season	1
Seasons with Front Row Starts	1

Complete Formula One World Championship results

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	WDC	Points
1951	Iddings	Meyer	Novi V8	SUI	500 DNQ	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	ITA	ESP				NC	0
1952	Merkler Machine Works	Kurtis Kraft	Novi V8	SUI	500 DNQ	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	NED	ITA				NC	0
1953	Sumar / Chapman Root	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	ARG	500 6	NED	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	SUI	ITA			NC	0
1954	Sumar / Chapman Root	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	ARG	500 27	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	SUI	ITA	ESP			NC	0
1955	Sumar / Chapman Root	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	500 9	BEL	NED	GBR	ITA					NC	0
1956	Sumar / Chapman Root	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	500 24	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	ITA				NC	0
1957	Helse / H.H. Johnson	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	500 28	FRA	GBR	GER	PES	ITA				NC	0
1958	Federal Engineering	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	NED	500 DNQ	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	POR	ITA	MOR	NC	0
1959	Federal Engineering	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	MON	500 14	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	POR	ITA	USA			NC	0
1960	Bryant Heating	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	500 DNQ	NED	BEL	FRA	GBR	POR	ITA	USA		NC	0

Teammates & Qualifying Head-to-Head

Teammate	Years	Races	Qualifying H2H
Jerry Hoyt	1954	1	1-0
Johnny Boyd	1955	1	1-0
Marshall Teague	1956	1	1-0
Bob Christie	1958, 1959	2	1-0