Danny Kladis (February 10, 1917 – April 26, 2009) was an American racecar driver. He was born in Crystal City, Missouri and died at Joliet, Illinois.^[1] 92-year-old Kladis was the oldest living Indy 500 starter at the time of his death.^[1]

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Danny Kladis

Born	(1917-02-10)February 10, 1917
Died	April 26, 2009(2009-04-26) (aged 92)
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality	American
Active years	1950–1952, 1954–1955, 1957
Teams	Kurtis Kraft, Bromme, Diedt, Maserati
Entries	6 (1 start)
Championships	0
Wins	0
Podiums	0
Career points	0
Pole positions	0
Fastest laps	0
First entry	1950 Indianapolis 500
Last entry	1957 Indianapolis 500

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Kladis started racing in midget cars in 1935.^[1] He stopped racing in the 1940s when all racing in the United States stopped for World War II. During the war, he was a pilot in the United States Army.^[1] After the war, he started in the 1946 Indianapolis 500 for Andy Granatelli and finished 21st.^[1] He drove 50 laps as a relief driver for Spider Webb in the 1954 Indianapolis 500.^[1] Kladis attempted to make the field until the 1957 Indianapolis 500 but was unsuccessful.^[1]

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. In the 1954 Indianapolis 500, Danny Kladis drove in relief of Spider Webb. As a result of this shared ride, Kladis participated in 1 World Championship race but scored no World Championship points.

Kladis was the father of seven children:^[1] George, Joanne, Carole, Ciciela, Christopher, Danny Jr, and Michael.