Paul Russo

Paul Russo was one of the pioneers of the sport of midget racing, having been active as early as 1934. He was part of a contingent of drivers who journeyed to Hawaii to race during the winter of 1934-35 and in 1938 won the the first race held at the famous Nutley Velodrome in New Jersey.
After winning the AAA Eastern Midget Championship in 1938, he became a regular in the Indianapolis 500, starting 14

times, and led the 1956 and 1957 races with one of the famed Novis.

     In a pre-arranged agreement, he co-drove with his old friend Tony Bettenhausen, Sr. to 2nd place in the 1955 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. He placed 4th in 1957 and was 8th in both 1949 and 1954. In 1941, ’50 and ’59 he finished 9th at the “Brickyard.”
     Russo was a part of midget racing's famous “Chicago Gang,” which included such drivers as Jimmy Snyder, Tony Bettenhausen Duke Nalon, Wally Zale, Emil Andres and Cowboy O’Rourke.
     Always a crowd favorite, he died on February 13, 1976 while in Florida for the Daytona 500.

National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame