Joe Russo

27/12/1901 - 10/7/1934

Record updated

Joe Russo finished 5th in the Indy 500 in 1934 but was killed two weeks later at the Langhorne Speedway. His brother, Paul, and son, Eddie, also raced in the Indianapolis 500.

Russo was from Detroit, Michigan, and first raced in the Indy 500 in 1931. Driving a Rigling Duesenberg he went out with an oil leak after 109 laps.

He was back at the Brickyard in 1932 but once again failed to finish. In other races that year he finished 7th at both Detroit and Roby in his Duesenberg.

He finished the Indy 500 in 1933 in 17th spot and two weeks later finished 5th in Detroit.

1934 started in a promising way with a fine fifth place finish at Indy after qualifying down in 24th spot.

However two weeks later on the 38th lap of a 50-lap race at Langhorne Speedway he sustained fatal injuries when his car rolled. He was taken to the Harriman Hospital and died the next day without regaining consciousness.

Russo’s brother, Paul, and son, Eddie Russo, also raced in the Indianapolis 500.



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