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Daniel George Oakes (July 18, 1911 – January 13, 2007) was an Americanmidget carhall of fame driver.
Daniel G. Oakes became interested in racing when he delivered morning and evening newspapers in his hometown ofSanta Barbara, California. His favorite day was Monday. He viewedModel T cars powered byFrontenac motors parked outside a downtown Santa Barbara restaurant when the professional racecar drivers fromSan Francisco came to town. Oakes fantasized about the day he would become a race driver.[1]
Oakes began attending races atLegion Ascot Speedway. He built a black roadster with chrome wheels that he drove to the track. The car led to an opportunity to be a mechanic on a bootlegger's racecar. Oakes drove the car at warmups at area racetracks.
Oakes began racing at Legion Ascot Speedway in 1932 at age 21 in the Class C for beginners. Legion Ascot Speedway closed down in 1936, and Oakes switched to midget cars. He won the Pacific Coast championship three times.[1] Oakes was one of the drivers who was unable to race in the prime of his life during the four years ofWorld War II, as all racing halted during the war.[1][2] Oakes was a flight inspector atLockheed.[1]
Oakes won the first race after the war atGilmore Stadium, the 1945Turkey Night Grand Prix. He won the 1947 PacificAAA midget car championship. He later won the 1959 Pacific CoastUSAC championship. Oakes holds the 40-lap record at Gilmore.
Oakes drove for 25 years in the midget cars andChampionship cars, but he was unable to qualify for anyIndianapolis 500 races as a driver. He attempted from 1952 to 1955. He was bumped from the field in 1954, and he did not complete his attempt in 1952. He stood by as a relief driver for his friendAlberto Ascari, but Ascari'sFerrari was eliminated before his first pit stop.[3]
Oakes continued racing midgets until he was in his mid-60s. He ended his racing career as a throttleman in off-shore boat racing in his 70s.
During his years of driving, Oakes became friends with Tony Hulman, Wilbur Shaw, and other big names in racing during those reconstructive years after WWII. Oakes was infamous with the ladies and often referred to as "Dapper Dan".
Oakes did set up theJim Hurtubise's car in 1960, which won the pole for theIndianapolis 500 by three miles per hour. Hurtubise won theIndianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award. Oakes was alsocrew chief forJohnny White his1964 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year performance. His final attempt at Indy at qualifyingPaul Goldsmith in1965 ended after mechanical failure.
Oakes died inHuntington Beach, California on January 13, 2007, aged 95.[4]