Arlene Hiss

Last updated
Arlene Hiss
NationalityAmerican
Born1941 (age 82–83)
Derby, Connecticut, United States
Awards1974 Most Outstanding Woman Driver
Champ Car career
1 race run over 1 year
Years active 1976
Team(s) Copper State Racing
Best finish40th (1976)
First race 1976 Jimmy Bryan 150 (Phoenix)
WinsPodiums Poles
000

Arlene Hiss (born 1954 according to Mortorsport Database or born 1941 [N 1] ) is an American former race car driver and schoolteacher. Hiss has the distinction of being the first woman to start an Indy car race, doing so in the 1976 season. She is the ex-wife of 1972 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Mike Hiss.

Contents

Personal life

Hiss worked as a dance teacher at Fullerton High School in Fullerton, California, [3] and was married to Mike Hiss, 1972 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, [6] although by the time of her USAC career they were no longer married. [5]

Racing career

Hiss started her racing career in 1964, [3] competing in Sports Car Club of America-sanctioned Showroom Stock racing, [2] [4] winning two California club championships. [3] In 1974, she was named "Most Outstanding Woman Driver" by the Sports Car Racing Enterprises for Women. [3]

In 1976, having received a USAC competition licence for the first two races of the 1976 USAC Championship Car season, [7] she became the first woman to start an USAC Championship Car – "Indy car" – race when she entered the Jimmy Bryan 150 at Phoenix International Raceway. [3] Hiss drove the No. 51 Copper State Racing Eagle 74-Offenhauser [8] that had formerly been driven by Lloyd Ruby. [9] Hiss qualified 21st out of 22 cars with a speed of 128.940 mph (207.509 km/h), while pole sitter Al Unser had a speed of 140.845 mph (226.668 km/h). [2] In the race, Hiss was black flagged for going too slow. She said of this issue "I went up high on the track to let faster cars past. I guess the officials were concerned I was tired, so they brought me in to check. I told them I wasn't and went back out." [4] Hiss ultimately finished in 14th place, albeit with only 128 of 150 laps complete. [10]

Hiss also announced that she would enter the Indianapolis 500 and she tested at Ontario Motor Speedway, a track nearly identical to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Her best lap speed was around 176 mph (283 km/h). [2] Ultimately, Hiss was not entered at Indianapolis and Lloyd Ruby drove the car. [11] Instead Hiss moved to the United States Auto Club Stock Car series, [12] running five races over the course of the remainder of the year. [13] Her best finish was a 9th in her first race at Texas World Speedway, [5] driving the No. 9 Steve Drake Dodge Charger, although she finished 20 laps down to winner A. J. Foyt. [14]

Later that year, Hiss entered the 1976 season finale for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, the Los Angeles Times 500 at Ontario Motor Speedway in the No. 38 Let's Dine Out Chevrolet Monte Carlo owned by Tom Williams (whom Hiss had previously driven for in USAC [13] ), but failed to qualify. [15] In 1977, she entered the West Coast 250 at Ontario Motor Speedway, an event for the NASCAR Pro Series West in a Chevrolet, but failed to qualify. [16]

Hiss retired from racing in June 1978, to pursue a business career. [5]

Criticism

During Hiss' brief career in Indy cars, she attracted criticism from people in the sport. Gary Bettenhausen said, "This is a man’s business and she has to be measured by a man’s standards if she is going to compete. By those standards, she didn't measure up." [4] Bobby Unser, who won the Phoenix race, [10] blamed the press for pressuring USAC to allow Hiss to run. [17] He remarked on Hiss, "It's a sad day when some woman gets in a car and pokes around the track slower than anybody else and then all the writers and television cameras crowd around her and ignore the professionals." [5] Bill Vukovich II was also critical of Hiss. [1] Drivers discussed boycotting the next series event, at Trenton Speedway, if Hiss was allowed to compete, due to her being considered "dangerously slow". [18]

However, Hiss said most drivers were supportive, and that A. J. Foyt "told everybody what a fine job I'd done" after her first USAC Stock Car race in Texas, while she and Unser later became friends. [5]

Racing record

USAC Champ Car results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

USAC Champ Car results
YearTeam12345678910111213RankPointsRef
1976 Copper State Racing PHX
14		 TRE INDY MIL POC MCH TWS TRE MIL ONT MCH TWS PHX NR0 [19]

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Winston Cup Series

NASCAR Winston Cup Series results
YearTeamNo.Make123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930NWCCPtsRef
1976 Tom Williams Racing38 Chevy RSD DAY CAR RCH BRI ATL NWS DAR MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL ONT
DNQ		NA0 [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. J. Foyt</span> American racing driver (born 1935)

Anthony Joseph Foyt Jr. is an American former racing driver who competed in numerous disciplines of motorsport. He is best known for his open wheel racing career, and for becoming the first four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. He holds the most American National Championship titles in history, winning seven.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brickyard 400</span> Auto race held in Indianapolis, United States

The Brickyard 400 is an annual NASCAR Cup Series points race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. The inaugural race was held in 1994 and was the first race other than the Indianapolis 500 to be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1916. In its inaugural running, the Brickyard 400 became NASCAR's most-attended event, drawing an estimated crowd of more than 250,000 spectators. The race also paid one of NASCAR's highest purses. From 1994 to 2020, the race was held on the 2.5-mile oval, for a distance of 400 miles. The race was put on hiatus for three years (2021–2023) in favor of the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard which was run on a combined road course and run a distance of 200-mile (321.869 km). However, the Brickyard 400 will return to the oval for the 2024 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Unser</span> American racing driver (1939–2021)

Alfred Unser was an American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser Jr. He was the second of four men to have won the Indianapolis 500 four times, the fourth of five to have won the race in consecutive years, and the winner of the National Championship in 1970, 1983, and 1985. The Unser family has won the Indy 500 a record nine times. He was the only person to have both a sibling (Bobby) and child as fellow Indy 500 winners. Al's nephews Johnny and Robby Unser have also competed in that race. In 1971, he became the only driver to date to win the race on his birthday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Unser</span> American racing driver (1934–2021)

Robert William Unser was an American automobile racer. At his induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994, he had the fourth most IndyCar Series wins at 35. Unser won the 1968 and 1974 United States Automobile Club (USAC) national championships. He won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb overall title 10 times.

Gordon Johncock is an American former racing driver. He won the Indianapolis 500 twice, and was the 1976 USAC Marlboro Championship Trail champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. J. Foyt IV</span> American football scout and former racing driver

Anthony Joseph Foyt IV is an American football scout and former racing driver. He is a scouting assistant for the Indianapolis Colts, and drove in the IndyCar Series and briefly the NASCAR Busch Series. He is the third generation of the famous Foyt family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Carpenter (racing driver)</span> American racing driver (born 1981)

Everette Edward Carpenter, Jr. is an American auto racing driver, currently competing in the IndyCar Series for his team, Ed Carpenter Racing. He is the stepson of Indy Racing League founder Tony George.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1975 Indianapolis 500</span> 59th running of the Indianapolis 500

The 59th 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 25, 1975. A. J. Foyt started on the pole position and Bobby Unser won his second Indianapolis 500. Dan Gurney, one of the founders of All American Racers, who finished second as a driver himself in 1968–1969, won his first and only Indy 500 as a car owner. Gurney's Eagle chassis itself scored its third "500" win. The race was part of the 1975 USAC National Championship Trail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1976 Indianapolis 500</span> 60th running of the Indianapolis 500

The 60th 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 30, 1976. Polesitter Johnny Rutherford took the lead on lap 80, and was leading when rain halted the race on lap 103. Two hours later, the race was about to be resumed, but rain fell again. USAC officials called the race at that point, reverted the scoring back to the completion of lap 102, and Johnny Rutherford was declared the winner. Rutherford famously walked to Victory Lane, his second career Indy 500 triumph, having completed only 255 miles (410 km), the shortest official race on record. Janet Guthrie became the first female driver to enter the Indianapolis 500. However, her team was underfunded, and she experienced numerous mechanical and engine problems during the month. While she managed to pass her rookie test, and ran numerous practice laps in multiple cars, she was unable to make an attempt to qualify. She would return with a successful effort a year later in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1977 Indianapolis 500</span> 61st running of the Indianapolis 500

The 61st 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 29, 1977. Considered one of the most historically significant editions of the Indianapolis 500, several sidebar stories complemented the unprecedented accomplishment of race winner A. J. Foyt. Foyt became the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times. As of 2023, Foyt's record has been tied by Al Unser Sr., Rick Mears and Hélio Castroneves, but still stands as an Indy 500 record. Foyt's victory is also the last time the winning car was built entirely within the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1978 Indianapolis 500</span> 62nd running of the Indianapolis 500

The 62nd 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 28, 1978. Danny Ongais dominated the early stages of the race but eventually dropped out with a blown engine. Al Unser Sr. dominated the second half, and held a large lead late in the race. However, Unser bent the front wing of his Lola during a pit stop on lap 180, causing his handling to go away over the final twenty laps. Second place Tom Sneva charged to catch Unser's crippled Lola but came up 8 seconds short at the finish line – the second-closest finish in Indy history to that point. Unser held off the challenge, and became a three-time winner of the 500. It was Al Unser's third Indy victory in the decade of the 1970s, and the fifth of nine overall victories by the Unser family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1979 Indianapolis 500</span> 63rd running of the Indianapolis 500

The 63rd 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, on Sunday May 27, 1979. Second-year driver Rick Mears took the lead for the final time with 18 laps to go, and won his first of four Indianapolis 500 races. It was also Mears' first of a record six Indy 500 pole positions. Brothers Al and Bobby Unser combined to lead 174 of the 200 laps, but Al dropped out around the midpoint, and Bobby slipped to 5th place at the finish nursing mechanical issues. It was also Roger Penske's second Indy 500 victory as a car owner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 Indianapolis 500</span> 64th running of the Indianapolis 500

The 64th 500 Mile International Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 25, 1980. Johnny Rutherford won the pole position, led 118 laps, and won the race by a commanding 29.92 second margin. After failing to finish the race the year before, Jim Hall's radical new Chaparral 2K ground effects chassis was a heavy favorite entering the month, and drove a flawless race. Rutherford, the winner in 1974 and 1976, became the sixth driver to win the Indy 500 three times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1981 Indianapolis 500</span> 65th running of the Indianapolis 500

The 65th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, on Sunday, May 24, 1981. The race is widely considered one of the most controversial races in Indy history. Bobby Unser took the checkered flag as the winner, with Mario Andretti finishing second. After the conclusion of the race, USAC officials ruled that Unser had passed cars illegally while exiting the pit area during a caution on lap 149. Unser was subsequently issued a one-position penalty. The next morning, the official race results were posted, and Unser was dropped to second place. Mario Andretti was elevated to first place and declared the race winner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1994 Indianapolis 500</span> 78th running of the Indianapolis 500

The 78th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 29, 1994. The race was sanctioned by United States Auto Club (USAC), and was included as race number 4 of 16 of the 1994 PPG IndyCar World Series. For the second year in a row, weather was nary a factor during the month. Only one practice day was lost to rain, and pole day was only partially halted due to scattered showers. Warm, sunny skies greeted race day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1992 Indianapolis 500</span> 76th running of the Indianapolis 500

The 76th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, on Sunday, May 24, 1992. The race is famous for the fierce battle in the closing laps, as race winner Al Unser Jr. held off second place Scott Goodyear for the victory by 0.043 seconds, the closest finish in Indy history. Unser Jr. became the first second-generation driver to win the Indy 500, following in the footsteps of his father Al Unser Sr. He also became the third member of the famous Unser family to win the race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Steele</span> American racing driver

David MacFarland Steele was an American professional racing driver who won numerous sprint car racing championships and also competed in IndyCar and NASCAR races. Steele last drove a winged sprint car in the Southern Sprintcar Shootout Series, where he won the first 5 races in series history. Steele was killed in a crash at Desoto Speedway on March 25, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 CART PPG Indy Car World Series</span> CART indyCar World Series season 1980

The 1980 CART PPG Indy Car World Series season was the second in the CART era of U.S. open-wheel racing. It consisted of twelve races, beginning in Ontario, California on April 13 and concluding in Avondale, Arizona on November 8. The PPG Indy Car World Series Drivers' Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Johnny Rutherford. Rookie of the Year was Dennis Firestone. The entire season, including the 64th Indianapolis 500, was to be co-sanctioned by both the USAC and CART under the banner of the Championship Racing League (CRL). However, USAC withdrew from the arrangement after five races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1976 Los Angeles Times 500</span> Auto race held at Ontario Motor Speedway in 1976

The 1976 Los Angeles Times 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race that took place on November 21, 1976, at Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California. Each copy of the souvenir program was $2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kody Swanson</span> American racing driver

Kody Swanson is an American professional sprint car racing driver. He is a seven-time USAC USAC Silver Crown Series champion in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022, plus a three-time Little 500 winner. Swanson is currently the all-time wins leader in Silver Crown with 37.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Some period sources give Hiss' age at the time as being 28, giving a birth date of 1948, [1] [2] however other period sources give an age of 35, [3] which is agreed with by more recent retrospectives. [4] [5]

Citations

  1. 1 2 Hungness, Carl (1976). The 1976 Indianapolis 500 Yearbook. Carl Hungness Publishing. ISBN   0-915088-10-X.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Pash, Phil (March 14, 1976). "Arlene Hiss Getting Her Chance in Big Time Today". The New York Times. New York. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "No Special Favors For Arlene Hiss". The Terre Haute Tribune . Terre Haute, IN. 4 March 1976. p. 19. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Waltz, Keith (March 23, 2010). "Schoolteacher Arlene Hiss Is First Female Indy Car Driver". Speed Sport. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dunne, Patrick (March 14, 1986). "From Horsepower to Horse and Buggy Power : Hiss Takes a Turn in Road to a Slower Life". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Hiss challenges best of men". Fremont Argus . Fremont, CA. 12 March 1976. p. 20. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  7. ↑ "Arlene Hiss Granted USAC Race License". The Times Recorder . Zanesville, OH. February 26, 1976. p. 17. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Jimmy Bryan 150". OldRacingCars. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  9. ↑ Miller, Robin (8 March 1976). "If Practice Counted, Mrs. Hiss Couldn't Miss". The Indianapolis Star . p. 25. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  10. 1 2 "1976 Jimmy Bryan 150". Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  11. ↑ "1976 Indianapolis 500". Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Speedway Once Again Opens Gates". The Eagle . June 3, 1976. p. 26. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  13. 1 2 "Arlene Hiss". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Texas 500". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  15. ↑ "1976 Los Angeles Times 500". Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  16. ↑ "West Coast 250". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  17. ↑ Woolford, Dave (May 15, 1976). "Axle Axioms". The Toledo Blade . Toledo, OH. p. 15. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  18. ↑ James, Brant (June 6, 2012). "IndyCar drivers ready for Texas, but fence posts and other issues remain". Autoweek . Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Arlene Hiss – 1976 USAC Champ Car Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  20. ↑ "Arlene Hiss – 1976 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.