Donald L. Branson^[1] (June 2, 1920 – November 12, 1966) was anAmerican racecar driver.

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Born inRantoul, Illinois, Branson drove in theUSACChampionship Car series and also insprint cars, racing champ cars in the 1956–1966 seasons with 128 starts, including the 1959–1966Indianapolis 500 races. He finished in the top ten 85 times, with 7 victories.

Branson was also the 1959 and 1964USAC Sprint Car Series Champion.

He was killed in 1966 in a crash at a sprint car race atAscot Park inGardena, California, which also claimed the life of fellow driverDick Atkins. The fatal wreck occurred with only a few races left in the season for the USAC series.

He was inducted in theNational Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1994 and theNational Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2012.^[2]

(key)

• 1920 births
• 1966 deaths
• Indianapolis 500 drivers
• National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductees
• People from Rantoul, Illinois
• Racing drivers from Illinois
• Racing drivers who died while racing
• Sports deaths in California

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