Duke Nalon


Dennis "Duke" Nalon was an American midget car, sprint car, and Indy 500 driver from Chicago, Illinois, United States.

Racing career

Nalon began as a pit crew member for Wally Zale. Nalon occasionally warmed up the car. When Walter Galven needed a driver, Zale convinced Galven to allow Nalon to race. Nalon won the feature event.
Nalon was nicknamed "The Iron Duke." Nalon was part of the "Chicago Gang" with Tony Bettenhausen. They toured tracks in the Midwest and East Coast of the United States.

Midget cars

Nalon won races on the United States' East Coast in the 1930s. Nalon competed in midget cars throughout his career. He ran his final career race at the only midget race ever run at Terre Haute. He raced Johnny Pawl’s famous midget to victory. He ended his career the way he started it: with a win.

Sprint cars

He won the 1938 East Coast AAA Sprint car championship.

Indy cars

Nalon started ten Indianapolis races, finishing only 3. He started from the pole twice, and was twice the fastest qualifier. In 1947, he competed in a Mercedes-Benz W154.

[1949 Indianapolis 500] Crash

In 1949, he was involved in a massive, fiery crash in Turn 3. He backed into the wall and the car burst into flames. He survived only because he held his breath, and he jumped out of the car while it was still moving. He had severe burns to his legs which gave him trouble until his death in 2001.

Indy 500 results

Starts10
Poles2
Front Row2
Wins0
Top 51
Top 102
Retired7

Complete Formula One World Championship results

YearEntrantChassisEngine123456789WDCPoints
1950Novi MobilKurtis KraftNovi L8GBRMON500
DNQ		SUIBELFRAITANC0
1951Novi PurelubeKurtis KraftNovi L8SUI500
10		BELFRAGBRGERITAESPNC0
1952Novi Pure OilKurtis KraftNovi L8SUI500
25		BELFRAGBRGERNEDITANC0
1953Novi GovernorKurtis KraftNovi L8ARG500
11		NEDBELFRAGBRGERSUIITANC0
1954Novi Pure OilKurtis KraftNovi L8ARG500
DNQ		BELFRAGBRGERSUIITAESPNC0

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. Duke Nalon participated in 3 World Championship races. He started on the pole once but scored no World Championship points.

Awards