Danny Sullivan
Daniel John " Danny" Sullivan ( born March 9, 1950 in Louisville ) is a retired American race car driver.
As Danny Sullivan came in the 1970s with no money to Europe, he could not have imagined that he would be a wealthy man at the end of his career. With much enthusiasm, but little knowledge of the practices of motor sports Sullivan began in small formulas in the UK with motorsport - an arduous task if one lacks the support of a sponsor. After years with average success Sullivan returned in late 1979 returned to the U.S. and got there in the CanAm series.
In 1981, he celebrated his first victory in Las Vegas and finished the season in fourth place overall. The big swing in career began in 1982 with the first engagement in the CART series one. For the Forsythe -Newman team, he made his debut in Atlanta with a strong third place. The Forsythe team still decided against Sullivan, as it was about a year contract, and gave the cockpit of the Mexican Héctor Rebaque. Sullivan was forced to attach a season in the CanAm series, and ended the year in third place in the championship.
In 1983, opened the door of Formula 1, as it Ken Tyrrell offered a car for an entire Formula 1 season. The Tyrrell 011 he made his debut at the Grand Prix of Brazil with an eleventh place. His first and only championship points he made in Monaco, and the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch, he was in a duel with Keke Rosberg even briefly in the lead. He finished the race in second. Sullivan was despite some good races in the shadow of his teammate Michele Alboreto and got no contract extension.
Back in the U.S. he went CART race. In 1984 there were already three wins for the Shierson team before 1985, the really big success. With his triumph in the 500 miles of Indianapolis for Penske Racing Sullivan became a highly paid top drivers. With four victories he won in 1988 and the overall winner of the series. End of season 1993 Sullivan could look back on 17 Champ Car victories.
Sullivan was also a touring and sports car driver of world format. In 1994 he had some guest starts for Alfa Romeo in the DTM and was together with Thierry Boutsen and Hans- Joachim Stuck in the 962 LM third overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans duration. In NASCAR, he drove the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis.
In 1995, Sullivan the CART race at Michigan in a serious accident, which practically ended the career. Sullivan took over the role of a TV commentator and gave in 1998 in Le Mans a surprising comeback. With its partners, Nelson Piquet and Johnny Cecotto he drove a McLaren F1 of Bigazzi team to eighth place overall. Six years later he was one last time at the Sarthe circuit at the start when he drove a Ferrari 575GTC together with Thomas Biagi and John Bosch.