Lee Kunzman
| Lee Kunzman | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | November 28, 1944 Guttenberg, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | February 27, 2025 (aged 80) |
Lee Kunzman (November 29, 1944 – February 27, 2025) was an American driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1969, 1972–1973 and 1975-1980 seasons, with 48 combined career starts, including the 1971-1973, 1977, and 1979 Indianapolis 500. He finished in the top ten 21 times, with his best finish in 2nd position in 1979 at Atlanta.
Early in his career, he was the 1967 IMCA sprint car Rookie of the Year. Severe injuries from two accidents limited his driving in the early 1970s. In June 1970, Kunzman suffered an accident driving a sprint car at I-70 Speedway that left him with 3rd degree burns over 40% of his body, including severe burns to his nose, eyelids and lips, as well as a broken neck and right arm.[1] Kunzman took 11 months to recover, returning to racing in April 1971, but suffered permanent scaring from the burns. Kunzman suffered a second major crash in December 1973 driving an IndyCar at Ontario Motor Speedway for a tire test. The accident left Kunzman with major head injuries and paralysis on the left side of his body.[1] Kunzman did not return to racing until 1975. After completing his driving career, he became the general manager for Hemelgarn Racing and was part of Buddy Lazier's Indianapolis 500 winning team in 1996 and championship winning team in 2000.
Kunzman died on February 27, 2025, at the age of 80.[1]
Career award
Kunzman was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2006.[2]
Indianapolis 500 results
| Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Morris | Ford | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1972 | Gerhardt | Offy | 30th | 17th |
| 1973 | Eagle | Offy | 25th | 7th |
| 1975 | Eagle | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1976 | Eagle | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1977 | Eagle | Offy | 24th | 7th |
| 1978 | Sugai Fox | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1979 | Parnelli | Cosworth | 11th | 30th |
| 1982 | Penske | Cosworth | Failed to Qualify |
Notes
- ^ a b c Murray, Richie (1 March 2025). "Lee Kunzman, 30-time Usac Feature Winner, Passes Away At 80". USAC Racing. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "Sprint Car HOF". Archived from the original on 2012-07-29. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
External links
- Lee Kunzman at IMDb
- Lee Kunzman career summary at DriverDB.com
- RACER: Robin Miller's Toughest Drivers Series - Lee Kunzman