Gene Hartley

Gene Hartley (28 January 1926 - 13 March 1993): Leslie Eugene Gene Hartley was an American racing driver from Roanoke, Indiana, who came from a remarkable racing family and became one of the most successful midget car racers of his era. Born into motorsport royalty, Hartley was the son of midget car driver Ted Hartley, who competed into his 60s, and his uncle Glen had crafted his own entry for the 1924 Indianapolis 500. Auto racing is all I've ever known, Gene once said in an interview at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, reflecting his lifelong immersion in the sport. Hartley competed in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series from 1950 and 1952-1962, accumulating 33 starts including ten Indianapolis 500 races in each year except 1955 and 1958.

His best finish at Indianapolis was tenth place in 1957, though he also recorded eleventh place finishes three times, demonstrating consistent competitiveness at the highest level. However, Hartley's greatest success came in midget car racing, where he reigned supreme. In 1959, he captured the USAC National Midget Championship, the pinnacle achievement in his favorite form of racing. Throughout his USAC career, Hartley accumulated an impressive 33 feature wins, ranking eighth on the all-time list, a testament to his exceptional skill and consistency in short-track racing.

Following his retirement from driving, Hartley remained deeply involved in motorsport. He joined forces with Leroy Warriner as promoter of the Kirtley Avenue speedway, better known as the Indianapolis Speedrome, where he retained a special interest in midget racing. His passion for developing the sport and providing opportunities for young drivers reflected his dedication to giving back to the racing community that had given him so much. Beyond racing, Hartley balanced multiple careers.

He ran the family farm, worked for General Electric, did road construction work, and worked as a mechanic. Perhaps most importantly, he spent over a decade teaching safe driving practices at schools, using his racing experience and celebrity to promote highway safety among young people, similar to other Indianapolis 500 drivers who participated in such educational programs. Hartley was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1985, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the sport. He passed away on 13 March 1993 in his hometown of Roanoke, Indiana, at the age of 67, leaving behind a legacy as one of America's greatest midget car racers and a devoted ambassador for motorsport safety.