Sammy Sessions
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| Sammy Sessions | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  American |
| Born | Allen Dale Sessions 10 September 1935 Nashville, Michigan, United States |
| Died | 17 December 1977 (aged 42) Alexandria, Minnesota, United States |
Allen Dale "Sammy" Sessions (September 10, 1935 – December 17, 1977) was an American race car driver. In 1972, he finished 4th in the Indianapolis 500 and won the USAC division title.[1]
Early life
[edit]Sessions was born in Nashville, Michigan.[1]
Career
[edit]He drove in the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1965-1975 seasons with 62 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1968-1973 and 1975. He finished in the top ten 21 times, with his best finish in 4th position on 7 occasions.
Based on information in "Donald Davidson's Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Annual 1974," Sessions was not given a chance to qualify for the 1974 Indy 500. Because of the "fuel crisis," Qualifications were cut to two days in 1974. May 11 was a short day of qualifying due to weather; on May 18 qualifications began about 15 minutes late due to administrative delays. Sam Sessions was at the line with engine running on May 18 when 6PM arrived. There were thirty-three cars in the field, but not everyone who entered in 1974 had a chance to qualify.
Sessions was also the 1972 USAC Sprint Car Series Champion.
Death and legacy
[edit]Sessions died in a snowmobile racing accident on the big half-mile oval in Alexandria, Minnesota.[1] He was posthumously inducted into the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1982.[2]
Indianapolis 500 results
[edit]| Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Ward | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1967 | Horton | Ford | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1968 | Finley | Offy | 31st | 9th |
| 1969 | Finley | Offy | 23rd | 12th |
| 1970 | Vollstedt | Ford | 32nd | 12th |
| 1971 | Lola | Ford | 25th | 27th |
| 1972 | Lola | Foyt | 24th | 4th |
| 1973 | Eagle | Foyt | 32nd | 28th |
| 1974 | Eagle | Chevrolet | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1975 | Eagle | Offy | 25th | 17th |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "USAC Vet Sessions Killed in Snowmobile". The Star Press. Muncie, Indiana. United Press International. December 19, 1977. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
- ^ Singler, John (September 15, 1982). "Mears can clinch national title Sunday in Wisconsin". Battle Creek Enquirer. Retrieved 2024-05-11 – via Newspapers.com.
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