Al Keller

Al Keller (April 11, 1920 - February 2, 1961) was an American racing driver who participated in the Formula One World Championship through the Indianapolis 500's inclusion in the series from 1950 to 1960. Born in Dayton, Ohio, Keller was part of the distinctive group of American drivers who competed almost exclusively at Indianapolis, rarely participating in European Grand Prix races that formed the World Championship's core.

Keller's career was built on American oval track racing, particularly at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indianapolis 500's unique position as part of the Formula One World Championship from 1950 to 1960, despite operating under different technical regulations and featuring almost no crossover with European entries, meant drivers like Keller became Formula One participants without ever traveling to Europe.

Between 1950 and 1956, Keller started the Indianapolis 500 seven times, representing solid achievement at an event attracting hundreds of entries competing for just 33 starting positions. His best finish came in 1950 with tenth place, earning him his best Formula One result and 0.14 World Championship points under the era's fractional scoring system.

Throughout his Indianapolis career, Keller drove various Offenhauser-powered cars, the dominant engine in American Championship racing during this era. His other finishes included 11th (1951), 24th (1952), 17th (1954), and retirements in 1953, 1955, and 1956. These results placed him solidly among Indianapolis's middle tier - a respected professional capable of qualifying and completing the 500 when mechanical reliability allowed.

The Indianapolis 500's Formula One inclusion created peculiar situations where drivers like Keller appeared in record books alongside European specialists like Juan Manuel Fangio, despite competing in completely different racing forms. This separation reflected fundamental differences between American oval track racing and European road course Grand Prix racing.

Following his final Indianapolis start in 1956, Keller continued racing in American events until his tragic death on February 2, 1961, when he was killed in a racing accident at Phoenix International Raceway during a sprint car race. He was 40 years old.

Keller's Formula One career consisted of seven Indianapolis 500 starts with a tenth-place best finish. His real career was in American Championship car racing, competing against the best oval track specialists of his era. He represents a unique moment when the World Championship bridged American and European racing by including Indianapolis 500, recognizing it as one of motorsport's greatest challenges.