Danny Oakes

Danny Oakes (July 18, 1911 – January 13, 2007) was an American midget car hall of fame driver.

Daniel G. Oakes became interested in racing when he delivered morning and evening newspapers in his hometown of Santa Barbara, California.

He viewed Model T cars powered by Frontenac motors parked outside a downtown Santa Barbara restaurant when the professional racecar drivers from San Francisco came to town.

Oakes began racing at Legion Ascot Speedway in 1932 at age 21 in the Class C for beginners.

[1] Oakes won the first race after the war at Gilmore Stadium, the 1945 Turkey Night Grand Prix.

He did set up the Jim Hurtubise's car in 1960, which won the pole for the Indianapolis 500 by three miles per hour.