Len Zengel
Leonard Joseph Zengel, Sr. (15 March 1887 – 24 September 1963) was an American racecar driver.
Leonard Joseph Zengel, Sr. | |
|---|---|
 Zengel in 1912 | |
| Born | March 15, 1887 |
| Died | September 24, 1963 (aged 76) |
| Other names | Len Zengel |
| Known for | 1912 Indianapolis 500 |
Biography
He was born on 15 March 1887 in Dayton, Ohio to Leonard A. Zengel (1857-1930). His siblings were, George H. Zengel (May 2, 1880-April 1957), Sophia Zengel (August 1882-?), Jennie L. Zengel (December 1884-?), Michael E. Zengel Sr. (July 1889-?), Charlie Zengel (March 14, 1893 – June 27, 1962), Dorothy A. Zengel (January 1899-?), and Murray A. Zengel (July 16, 1895-April 1968).
On October 8, 1910 he won the annual Fairmount Park road race in Philadelphia driving a Chadwick Engineering Works auto.[1][2]
In 1911 he won the Elgin Trophy.[1][3]
He participated in the 1912 Indianapolis 500.[1]
He married Mary L. Howell and had a son, Leonard Joseph Zengel, Jr. (1915-1944) who died in a car accident when he fell asleep at the wheel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[4] He had a daughter, Betty Jean Zengel.[5]
He operated a Chrysler and Plymouth dealership.
He died on 24 September 1963 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania at age 76.
Indy 500 results
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References
- "Sutz Driver Wears Smile While Speeding". Warsaw Daily Times. May 25, 1912. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
Len Zengel, driver of the Stutz entry number two in the second annual 500-mile International Sweepstakes race to be run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway next Memorial Day. Zengel was a member of the National racing team and won the Elgin National Stock Chassis road race in 1911. In 1910 he won the Fairmount Park race in Philadelphia in a Chadwick "Big Six." Billy Knipper will act as relief driver to Zengel in the 500 mile race.
- "Zengel Road Race Winner. Contest Closest one in Motor History. Nine Cars Finish". Chicago Tribune. October 9, 1910. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
Watched by a half a million people, Len Zengel, driving a Chadwick six, this afternoon won the third annual Fairmount park road race by the closest margin ever recorded in any motor road race in the world, beating Ralph...
- "Len Zengel Wins Elgin Trophy. Pilots His National Car Home in the Front Grant, in Alco, Was Second; Hughes, in Mercer, Third. Dave Buck and Sam Jacobs Crew of Pope-Hartford Killed". Atlanta Constitution. August 27, 1911. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
Elgin's 305 mile cup race today, won by Len Zengel, in a National, with Harry Grant second and Hughie Hughes third, was not run without its toll of death and injuries.
- "Auto Strikes Pole, Sailor is Killed". United Press. October 2, 1944.
Gunner's Mate 2/C, Leonard J. Zengel, 33 ...
- "Marriages". New York Times. September 13, 1942. Retrieved 2012-10-06.
Miss Betty Jean Zengel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Zengel of Rockwood Farm, West Chester, was married yesterday in the Church of the Good Shepherd ...