Duane Sweeney
Duane Sweeney | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 19, 1922 |
| Died | January 15, 2004 (aged 81) |
| Occupation | starter |
| Years active | 1951–1996 |
Duane Sweeney (June 19, 1922 – January 15, 2004) was an American racing official and starter of the Indianapolis 500 from 1980 to 1996.
Career
[edit]Sweeney's career as an race official began in late 1940s, working as a club referee for a motor club in Milwaukee before flagging races at Hales Corners Speedway starting in 1951. In 1962, Sweeney began working at the Milwaukee Mile.[2] At a late model stock race in 1973, Sweeney displayed the checkered flag a lap early after a stalled car on the front straight distracted him.[3]
In 1978, Sweeney was named starter for United States Auto Club (USAC) Championship Car Series and Stock Car races after a plane crash killed starter Shim Malone.[4][2] Sweeney was named starter for the Indianapolis 500 when previous starter Pat Vidan retired in 1979.[5][6] After retiring in 1996, Sweeney was succeeded by Bryan Howard.[7]
Flagging style
[edit]Sweeney popularized the use of waving double green and checkered flags to signal the start and end of a race.[8]
For each Indianapolis 500 worked, Sweeney's wife Mary hand-crafted the flags that he would use during the Indianapolis 500, including hand-sewing the checkered flag. Sweeney preferred to use flags with wooden handles for more grip.[9]
Sweeney believed flagging a race from the ground was more beneficial than from a tower, saying that "you don't see policemen directing traffic...from a helicopter. (...) If you're on the ground, you can control the field when you have to."[2]
Personal life
[edit]Prior to being named starter for the Indianapolis 500, Sweeney was involved in a car accident in 1979 and suffered a broken hip, ribs, wrist and arm, a punctured lung, and a fractured skull.[6]
Sweeney died on January 15, 2004 at his home in New Berlin, Wisconsin.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "IRL: Duane Sweeney passed away". Motorsport. January 16, 2004. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Duane Sweeney: The 500's Traffic Cop". The Daily Advocate. May 20, 1981. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ "Hartman In 'Short' Wisconsin Race Win". The Daily Dispatch. United Press International. August 20, 1973. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ Brezonick, Mike (May 31, 1980). "Flag waver: New Berlin man had busy time at Indy". The Waukesha County Freeman. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ Caleca, Linda (May 29, 1983). "Indy 500 take-off best part for race starter, fans". United Press International. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ a b Eickhorst, Mark (May 25, 1980). "New Berlin man handling the flags: This rookie will be waving, not driving". The Journal Times. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ "Indianapolis 500 notes". The Beaumont Enterprise. Associated Press. May 22, 1997. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ VanderLaan, Doug (July 11, 1983). "Indy Flagman Has Achieved His Dream". The Grand Rapids Press. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ Graham Caleca, Linda (May 5, 1986). "Getting grip on victory: Their home-sewn flags keep drivers on course". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved May 10, 2026.