Dan Sullivan
Born 1950 · Age 75
American former racing driver; 17-time CART winner, 1985 Indianapolis 500 winner (famous 'spin-and-win'), 1988 CART champion, raced in F1 (1983), sports cars, NASCAR, TV commentator and motorsports advisor.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Louisville, Kentucky
Daniel John Sullivan III born to a building-contractor family in Louisville, KY.
Attended Kentucky Military Institute
Attended/associated with the Kentucky Military Institute (KMI); KMI alumni records reference Sullivan (class association).
Worked odd jobs (pre-racing)
Held manual and service jobs — lumberjack, New York City cab driver, waiter, janitor — while saving to pursue racing.
Jim Russell Racing School course (21st birthday present)
Given a course at Jim Russell Racing Drivers School (Snetterton, England) for his 21st birthday — pivotal start to professional driving career.
Started racing in British Formula Ford
Began competitive racing in British Formula Ford after racing school.
Strong Formula Three season
Distinguished himself in F3 (noted for consistently strong finishes in 1974 season).
Competed in Formula Two
Progressed through the European open-wheel ladder, including Formula Two competition.
Can-Am Rookie of the Year
Drove for Garvin Brown Racing in SCCA Can-Am; earned Can-Am rookie of the year honors.
Can-Am race win at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
Scored a victory at the season-ending Caesars Palace Grand Prix (Las Vegas) driving in the Can-Am series.
CART/IndyCar debut — podium in first race (Atlanta)
Made PPG Indycar series debut driving for Forsythe/Brown; achieved a podium (third) in first CART race, the Stroh's 200 (Atlanta).
First Indianapolis 500 entry — crash
First Indianapolis 500 start (1982); crashed on lap 148 and retired from the race.
Signed to Tyrrell – full Formula One season
Competed in the full 1983 F1 season for Tyrrell (Benetton-sponsored); 15 entries, scored 2 World Championship points (P5 at Monaco).
Race of Champions — 2nd place (Brands Hatch)
Performed strongly in non-championship Race of Champions at Brands Hatch, finishing second behind Keke Rosberg.
Recorded first CART season statistics (summary)
Over career in CART/Champ Car: 171-172 races over ~12-13 years, 17 wins, 40 podiums, 19 poles (career totals included here as a milestone summary).
Return to CART with Shierson Racing — first CART wins
Returned to North America for full CART season with Shierson Racing; won three races including Cleveland (first CART win) and the Pocono 500; finished 4th in points.
Won the Indianapolis 500 ('Spin-and-Win')
Won the 1985 Indianapolis 500 in the famous 'spin-and-win' — spun 360+ degrees while dueling Mario Andretti, recovered, pitted, fought back and took the victory.
Signed by Team Penske
Joined Roger Penske's team for the 1985 CART season (Miller-sponsored car).
Finished 3rd in CART points
Strong CART season, finishing third overall in the championship.
Guest starred on TV show 'Miami Vice'
Played a race car driver (Danny Tepper) accused of murder in the 'Florence, Italy' episode; crossover into mainstream media boosted profile.
Won the 1988 CART Championship
Captured the 1988 PPG/ CART Championship driving for Team Penske; season included multiple wins (including Michigan 500, Portland, Laguna Seca) and nine poles.
Completed Indy car Triple Crown
By winning Michigan 500 (1988), added to previous wins at Indianapolis (1985) and Pocono (1984/1989), completing the career Indy car Triple Crown (Indy, Michigan, Pocono).
Broken arm in Indy practice; IROC victory at Nazareth; Pocono 500 win
Suffered a broken arm in practice for the 1989 Indy 500 and missed races; rebounded to win the Pocono 500 (August 1989) and won an IROC race at Nazareth.
Last season with Team Penske — won Laguna Seca finale
Final season with Penske; won two races in 1990 including the season finale at Laguna Seca (pole and wire-to-wire in his final Penske start).
Birth of son Daniel O'Driscoll
Reported birth of his son Daniel O'Driscoll (March 1990 referenced in profiles).
Arcade game 'Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat' released
The Leland Corporation released the arcade racing game 'Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat' featuring Sullivan's likeness.
Moved to Patrick Racing (Alfa Romeo) — uncompetitive season
Signed with Patrick Racing to drive an Alfa Romeo-powered car; went winless in 1991 and parted ways due to lack of competitiveness.
Joined Galles-Kraco Racing; won Long Beach
Drove for Galles-Kraco in the Galmer chassis; scored the first win for the Galmer at Long Beach after bumping teammate Al Unser Jr., causing team friction.
Last CART win — Detroit Grand Prix (Belle Isle)
Captured final career Champ Car/ CART victory at the Detroit Grand Prix (Belle Isle) in 1993.
Sabbatical year; TV commentator; NASCAR attempt; DTM and Le Mans podium
Took a sabbatical from IndyCar, joined ABC/ESPN as color commentator; attempted NASCAR Winston Cup (qualified only for the Brickyard 400, finished 33rd); drove Alfa Romeo in DTM guest starts; finished 3rd overall at 24 Hours of Le Mans (with Thierry Boutsen & Hans-Joachim Stuck in a Dauer 962 LM).
Final CART season; career-ending crash at Michigan
Returned to CART for a final season with PacWest Racing; season ended early after a serious crash at Michigan International Speedway that resulted in a broken pelvis and other injuries; announced retirement from open-wheel competition while recovering.
Le Mans return (1996) — finished 8th
Made a return to Le Mans in 1996 driving a McLaren F1 GTR (shared with Johnny Cecotto and Nelson Piquet) and finished overall 8th (LMGT1 class entry).
Broadcasting return to ABC-TV (1996–1998)
Worked as an ABC-TV/ABC Sports color commentator for Indy car broadcasts (1996–1998).
Competed at Rolex 24 at Daytona (late 1990s)
Ran in sports car events in late 1990s; sources differ (some list a GT-class win in 1998, others list a podium/2nd).
Became head of Red Bull Driver Search (U.S.)
Became head of a Red Bull Driver Search/driver development program (designed to find and promote American drivers to F1); program later helped Scott Speed reach Toro Rosso (2006–07).
Le Mans entry (2004) — DNF
Competed at 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2004 with Barron Connor Racing (Ferrari 575-GTC) — DNF.
Served as drivers' representative on FIA stewards' panel (German GP)
Appointed drivers' representative on the stewards' panel for the 2010 German Grand Prix (also served at the 2010 Singapore GP later that year).
Served as drivers' representative on FIA stewards' panel (Singapore GP)
Appointed drivers' representative on the stewards' panel for the 2010 Singapore Grand Prix.
Inducted into Motorsports Walk of Fame (Long Beach)
Inducted into the Motorsports Walk of Fame along the route of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, alongside Michael Andretti.
Served as drivers' steward (Hungarian GP)
Served as the drivers' representative on the stewards' panel for the 2012 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Inducted into Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
Officially inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (Class of 2012) recognizing his outstanding open-wheel career and broader motorsports contributions.
Senior advisor at Tempus Jets / Orion Air Group
Listed as a senior advisor to Tempus Jets and parent Orion Air Group (company advisory/business role).
Served as drivers' steward (Australian GP)
Served on the FIA stewards' panel as drivers' representative for the 2013 Australian Grand Prix.
Served as drivers' steward (Spanish GP)
Served as drivers' representative on the FIA stewards' panel for the 2014 Spanish Grand Prix.
Team Penske 'Time Capsule' feature
Team Penske published a Time Capsule article highlighting Sullivan's career and marketing impact (May 10, 2016).
Served as drivers' steward (Azerbaijan GP)
Served as drivers' representative on the FIA stewards' panel for the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Served as drivers' steward (Bahrain, China, Monaco GPs)
Appointed drivers' representative on the stewards' panels for several 2018 Grands Prix: Bahrain, China and Monaco.
Inducted into Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame
Named an inductee of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame (recognition for Indy 500 and open-wheel contributions).
Public net worth estimate reported
Online biography sources estimate Danny Sullivan's net worth at approximately USD 7,000,000 (compilation of racing earnings, broadcast roles and advisory deals).
Continues to attend races and public appearances
Reported presence at events such as the Indy 500 and other motorsport gatherings; remains an active figure in historic racing and public motorsport activities.
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