13 Facts About Tommy Hinnershitz

Thomas Paul Hinnershitz was an American racing driver.

Tommy Hinnershitz raced in national Championship car events.

Tommy Hinnershitz mainly raced his own cars, serving as his own mechanic.

Tommy Hinnershitz was one of the first drivers to have car sponsorship.

Tommy Hinnershitz was known for racing wearing overalls, which drew in fans at fairgrounds races in Corn Belt states such as Iowa and the Minnesota.

Thomas Paul Tommy Hinnershitz was born on a farm near Oley, Pennsylvania.

Tommy Hinnershitz farmed a 63-acre farm on weekdays and raced on the weekend.

Tommy Hinnershitz began racing in 1930 with a 1914 Model T at Reading Fairgrounds Speedway.

Tommy Hinnershitz's passed his Indianapolis Motor Speedway test in 1939 but did not qualify for the race.

Tommy Hinnershitz won USAC Eastern Sprint Car championship in 1956 and 1959.

Tommy Hinnershitz carried the Miracle Power fuel additive sponsorship while racing with an Offenhauser race engine.

Tommy Hinnershitz retired from racing in 1960 three hours after witnessing his friend Johnny Thomson die at a Allentown Fairgrounds race in Pennsylvania.

Tommy Hinnershitz continued to work in the racing field for several more years as an Indy car mechanic.