Patrick James O'Connor (October 9, 1928 – May 30, 1958) was an American racecar driver. He was killed in a 15-car pileup, after sustaining a fatal

head injury A head injury is any injury that results in trauma to the skull or brain. The terms ''traumatic brain injury'' and ''head injury'' are often used interchangeably in the medical literature. Because head injuries cover such a broad scope of inju ...

after rolling his car and catching fire on the first lap of the 1958 Indianapolis 500.

Champ Car

O'Connor competed in 36 races in his champ car career. He took his first win in 1956 at

Darlington Raceway Darlington Raceway is a egg-shaped oval track in Darlington, South Carolina. The track has hosted a variety of racing events since its inaugural season of racing in 1950; primarily races sanctioned by NASCAR. The venue has a capacity of 47,00 ...

. In 1957, he won the pole position for the

Indianapolis 500 The Indianapolis 500, formally known as the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, and commonly shortened to Indy 500, is an annual automobile race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, United States, an enclave suburb of Indian ...

and he finished eighth. Later in the year, he won at Trenton Speedway. He was on the cover of ''

Sports Illustrated ''Sports Illustrated'' (''SI'') is an American sports magazine first published in August 1954. Founded by Stuart Scheftel, it was the first magazine with a circulation of over one million to win the National Magazine Award for General Excellen ...

'' in May 1958 (one week before the race), adding to the legend of the Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx.

Death

For the 1958 Indianapolis 500, Dick Rathmann and Ed Elisian started the race on the front row, with Jimmy Reece on the outside of the front row. Elisian spun in turn 3 of the first lap and collided with Rathmann's car, sending them both into the wall, and starting a 15-car pileup. According to A. J. Foyt, O'Connor's car hit Reece's car, sailed fifty feet in the air, landed upside down, and burst into flames. Although O'Connor was incinerated in the accident, medical officials said that he was probably killed instantly from a fractured skull. In an interview after the race, winner

Jimmy Bryan James Ernest "Jimmy" Bryan (January 28, 1926 – June 19, 1960) was an American Auto racing, racing driver. Well-known for his habit of racing with an unlit cigar, Bryan was a three-time List of American open-wheel racing national champions, Nati ...

was quoted for saying "It was a nightmare. I lived with it for 200 laps." Widely blamed for the accident, Elisian was suspended by USAC for the accident (reinstated a few days later), and was shunned by many in the racing community. Following the accident, race officials announced that they would change the starting procedure, abandoning the single-file trip down pit lane that was used in 1957 and 1958. Also, for the 1959 Indy 500, metal roll bars welded to the frame behind the driver's head were mandated, and helmets were required to pass safety certification by Speedway medical officials.we feel the blues when we lose

Awards

He was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1995.

Legacy

Salem Speedway honored him along with Joe James with an annual title event. The 2020 event was part of the USAC Silvercrown series.

Complete AAA/USAC Championship Car results

Indianapolis 500 results

Complete Formula One World Championship results

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World Championship career summary

The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Pat O'Connor participated in 5 World Championship races. He started on the pole once but scored no World Championship points, as his best finish was eighth (twice).

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Oconnor, Pat 1928 births 1958 deaths Indianapolis 500 drivers Indianapolis 500 polesitters National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductees People from North Vernon, Indiana Racing drivers from Indiana Racing drivers who died while racing Sports deaths in Indiana Deaths from head injury