Don Branson

Don Branson (2 June 1920 - 12 November 1966): Donald L. Branson, known as Don Pappy Branson, was an American racing driver from Rantoul, Illinois, who became a legend in sprint car and championship car racing despite starting his Indianapolis 500 career at the unusually late age of 39. Branson was a Type 1 diabetic who only confided his condition to fellow driver Bobby Unser, making his accomplishments in the sweltering heat of summer races without power steering even more remarkable. Branson competed in the USAC Championship Car series from 1956 to 1966, accumulating 128 starts and finishing in the top ten an impressive 85 times with 7 victories.

His versatility was evident as he won races in dirt cars, roadsters, and rear-engine cars, adapting successfully to the evolution of racing technology. He made his Indianapolis 500 debut as a rookie in 1959 and went on to compete in eight consecutive Indianapolis 500 races from 1959 to 1966. His best finishes at the Brickyard were fourth place in 1960 and fifth place in 1963, and he qualified on the front row twice, demonstrating his speed and competitiveness at the highest level. Beyond championship car racing, Branson dominated sprint car competition, winning the USAC Sprint Car Series Championship twice, in 1959 and 1964.

He was a supreme talent on dirt tracks, competing during an era that included legendary drivers like A.J. Foyt, the Unser brothers, Parnelli Jones, and Roger McCluskey. On 12 November 1966, at the age of 46, Branson was making what would be his final career start in a sprint car race at Ascot Park in California. On the first lap, his car hit the first-turn wall and was struck by Dick Atkins' car. Branson died instantly at the scene, while Atkins, who suffered burns and a fractured skull, passed away the following day.

The motorsport community mourned the loss of a driver who had proven that age was no barrier to success and who had overcome personal health challenges to compete at the highest level. Branson's legacy was honored with induction into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1994 and the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2012, cementing his status as one of American oval racing's greatest competitors.