17 Facts About Ralph DePalma

Raffaele "Ralph" DePalma was an American racing driver who won the 1915 Indianapolis 500.

Ralph DePalma estimated that he had earned $1.5 million by 1934 after racing for 27 years.

Ralph DePalma competed on boards and dirt road courses and ovals.

Ralph DePalma applied for US citizenship and was granted it in August 1920.

In 1911, Ralph DePalma won the first Milwaukee Mile Championship Car race.

In 1912 and again in 1914, Ralph DePalma won the Elgin Trophy at Elgin, Illinois and in 1914 he scored what he called his greatest victory when he beat Barney Oldfield to capture the Vanderbilt Cup on the roads of Santa Monica, California.

Ralph DePalma entered the 1914 Indianapolis 500 and qualified, but withdrew before the race claiming he felt his engine could not survive the race.

Ralph DePalma had been let go by the Mercer Automobile Co.

Ralph DePalma ended 1914 by winning his second US national driving championship.

Ralph DePalma was an intense competitor but one of the most popular racers with his fellow drivers and the fans because of his good sportsmanship, a quality he displayed on and off the track.

Ralph DePalma began the year driving for the French manufacturer, Ballot.

However, Ralph DePalma did race his Ballot vehicle in the Elgin Road Race and won his third Elgin trophy in 1920.

Ralph DePalma later competed in stock cars until he retired from racing in 1936.

Ralph DePalma was an honorary referee for the Indianapolis 500, the last time in 1954.

Ralph DePalma died at his home in South Pasadena, California, from cancer on March 31,1956, at age 73.

Ralph DePalma was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Ralph DePalma is the brother of Indianapolis 500 competitor John Ralph DePalma and the maternal uncle of 1925 Indianapolis 500 winner Peter DePaolo.