Pat O’Connor

Patrick O’Connor was an American racecar driver whose brief but brilliant career burned fast and bright. A rising star on the U.S. racing circuit, O’Connor’s name was synonymous with speed until tragedy struck during the opening lap of the 1958 Indianapolis 500, in one of the most infamous crashes in motorsport history.

Nationality	American
Born	Patrick James O’Connor 9 October 1928 North Vernon, Indiana, U.S.
Died	30 May 1958 (aged 29) Speedway, Indiana, U.S.

Champ Car Career

O’Connor made his start in the Champ Car world with 36 career starts. His breakthrough came in 1956, when he stormed to victory at Darlington Raceway, announcing himself as one to watch.

The following year, 1957, brought more highlights. He captured the pole position for the Indianapolis 500, a dream achievement for any driver, and went on to finish a strong eighth in the race. Later that same season, he clinched another triumph at Trenton Speedway, solidifying his reputation as one of the sport’s most promising competitors.

By May 1958, O’Connor had become a national name, even gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated just a week before the Indy 500. Sadly, that appearance became a haunting entry in racing legend, often cited as part of the so-called “Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx.”

The 1958 Indianapolis 500 Tragedy

When the green flag dropped on race day, the front row featured Dick Rathmann, Ed Elisian, and Jimmy Reece. But before the first lap was complete, chaos unfolded. Elisian lost control in Turn 3, colliding with Rathmann and triggering a 15-car pileup that would claim O’Connor’s life.

According to racing legend A. J. Foyt, O’Connor’s car struck Reece’s, launched roughly fifty feet into the air, flipped upside down, and erupted into flames. Though the fire consumed the wreckage, medical officials later determined that O’Connor had likely died instantly from a fractured skull.

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Winner Jimmy Bryan, visibly shaken in his post-race interview, summed up the emotional toll with haunting simplicity: “It was a nightmare. I lived with it for 200 laps.”

The aftermath was grim. Ed Elisian, widely blamed for causing the accident, was briefly suspended by USAC and ostracised by many within the racing community.

Safety Reforms

O’Connor’s death became a turning point for motorsport safety. In the wake of the disaster, race officials overhauled the starting procedure, scrapping the single-file pit lane start that had been used in 1957 and 1958.

By the 1959 Indy 500, new regulations were in place: cars were required to feature metal roll bars welded behind the driver’s head, and all helmets had to pass official safety certification by the Speedway’s medical staff.

Pat O’Connor Formula One World Championship career

F1 Career	1953–1958
Teams	Diedt, Kurtis Kraft, Schroeder
Entries	6 (5 starts)
Championships	0
Wins	0
Podiums	0
Career points	0
Pole positions	1
Fastest laps	0
First entry	1953 Indianapolis 500
Last entry	1958 Indianapolis 500

Pat O’Connor Teammates

6 drivers	Involvement	First Year	Last Year
Bill Holland	1	1953
Henry Banks	1	1954
Leroy Warriner	1	1955
Don Freeland	1	1957
Jerry Unser	1	1958
Marshall Teague	1	1958

Pat O’Connor Complete Formula One Results

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	WDC	Points
1953	Slick Racers	Diedt	Offenhauser L4	ARG	500 DNQ	NED	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	SUI	ITA			NC	0
	Engle-Stanko	Kurtis Kraft 4000	Offenhauser L4		500 DNQ										NC	0
	Brown Motors	Schroeder	Offenhauser L4		500 DNQ										NC	0
1954	Hopkins / Motor Racers	Kurtis Kraft 500C	Offenhauser L4	ARG	500 21	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	SUI	ITA	ESP			NC	0
1955	Ansted Rotary	Kurtis Kraft 500D	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	500 8	BEL	NED	GBR	ITA					NC	0
1956	Ansted Rotary	Kurtis Kraft 500D	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	500 18	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	ITA				NC	0
1957	Ansted Rotary	Kurtis Kraft 500G	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	500 30	FRA	GBR	GER	PES	ITA				NC	0
1958	Sumar / Chapman Root	Kurtis Kraft 500G	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	NED	500 29	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	POR	ITA	MOR	NC	0