Danny Sullivan
Danny Sullivan, born Daniel John Sullivan III on March 9, 1950, in Louisville, Kentucky, is a retired American racing driver. In the CART Indy Car World Series, he won 17 races and the 1988 season championship with Penske. He also won the Indianapolis 500 in 1985 (the famous “spin and win”), the Pocono 500 in 1984 and 1989, and the Michigan 500 in 1988. With these wins he completed the Indy car Triple Crown of major races. Sullivan competed in 171 CART races over 12 years, with his best year coming in 1988 when he clinched the title.
Sullivan spent one season in Formula One with Tyrrell in 1983, finishing 17th in the World Championship but earning two points. He began racing in the United States after attending the Jim Russell Racing School and racing through Formula Ford, Formula Three and Formula Two.
Before CART, he drove in Can-Am and other series, including a win in 1981 at Caesars Palace Grand Prix. In addition to Indy cars, he tried NASCAR in 1994 (one start at the Brickyard 400) and competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans several times, with a best finish of third in 1994 driving the Dauer 962 LM.
After stepping back from full-time racing, Sullivan worked as a television broadcaster for ABC/ESPN and remained involved in racing through various roles and ventures. He has been honored with induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (2012) and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame (2022), among other recognitions.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 09:10 (CET).