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| Sammy Sessions | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  American |
| Born | Allen Dale Sessions (1935-09-10)10 September 1935 Nashville, Michigan, United States |
| Died | 17 December 1977(1977-12-17) (aged 42) Alexandria, Minnesota, United States |
Allen Dale "Sammy" Sessions (September 10, 1935 – December 17, 1977) was an American race car driver. In 1972, he finished 4th in the Indianapolis 500 and won the USAC division title.
Early life
Sessions was born in Nashville, Michigan.
Career
He drove in the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1965-1975 seasons with 62 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1968-1973 and 1975. He finished in the top ten 21 times, with his best finish in 4th position on 7 occasions.
Based on information in "Donald Davidson's Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Annual 1974," Sessions was not given a chance to qualify for the 1974 Indy 500. Because of the "fuel crisis," Qualifications were cut to two days in 1974. May 11 was a short day of qualifying due to weather; on May 18 qualifications began about 15 minutes late due to administrative delays. Sam Sessions was at the line with engine running on May 18 when 6PM arrived. There were thirty-three cars in the field, but not everyone who entered in 1974 had a chance to qualify.
Sessions was also the 1972 USAC Sprint Car Series Champion.
Death and legacy
Sessions died in a snowmobile racing accident on the big half-mile oval in Alexandria, Minnesota. He was posthumously inducted into the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1982.
Indianapolis 500 results
| Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Ward | Offy | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1967 | Horton | Ford | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1968 | Finley | Offy | 31st | 9th |
| 1969 | Finley | Offy | 23rd | 12th |
| 1970 | Vollstedt | Ford | 32nd | 12th |
| 1971 | Lola | Ford | 25th | 27th |
| 1972 | Lola | Foyt | 24th | 4th |
| 1973 | Eagle | Foyt | 32nd | 28th |
| 1974 | Eagle | Chevrolet | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1975 | Eagle | Offy | 25th | 17th |
References
- ^ "USAC Vet Sessions Killed in Snowmobile". The Star Press. Muncie, Indiana. United Press International. December 19, 1977. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
- Singler, John (September 15, 1982). "Mears can clinch national title Sunday in Wisconsin". Battle Creek Enquirer. Retrieved 2024-05-11 – via Newspapers.com.
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