Mel Hansen

Mel Hansen (June 8, 1898 Hayti, South Dakota – June 25, 1963 San Bernardino, California) was an American racecar driver. Hansen was nicknamed the “Firecracker Kid” because he loved to throw the explosive devices under chairs and behind people who were gathered in groups. ^[1]

Racing career

Midget car career

Hansen's first big win was the 1939 Turkey Night Grand Prix at Gilmore Stadium in Rex Mays Offenhauser. Hansen raced his midget car throughout the nation in 1940, and won 53 features that season.^[1] He also claimed the track championship at Fort Miami Speedway in Toledo, Ohio that season. He won the 1942 track championship at VFW Motor Speedway in Detroit. Hansen raced in the United Racing Association in California, and won the 1945 URA Blue Circuit championship.

Championship car career

Hansen competed in six Indianapolis 500s. He only completed one entire race, which was an eighth place finish in the 1940 Indianapolis 500. He won the 100-mile (160 km) race at Atlanta, Georgia in 1948.

Accident

Hansen was paralyzed after a racing crash in 1949 at Detroit, and he died on June 5, 1963 after being a paraplegic for fifteen years. ^[1]

Career award

• Hansen was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1993. ^[1]

Indy 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired 1939 49 14 121.683 25 19 113 0 Crash Pits 1940 31 5 124.753 7 8 194 0 Flagged 1941 9 21 124.599 6 29 11 0 Rod 1946 4 27 121.431 17 11 143 0 Crankshaft 1947 38 29 117.298 27 27 32 0 Pushed 1948 17 33 122.117 32 25 42 0 Too slow Totals 535 0

Starts 6 Poles 0 Front Row 0 Wins 0 Top 5 0 Top 10 1 Retired 5

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Biography at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame

Persondata
Name	Hansen, Mel
Alternative names
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Date of birth	June 8, 1898
Place of birth
Date of death	June 25, 1963
Place of death