Paul Russo

Paul Russo (born 10 April 1914 in Kenosha, died 13 February 1976 in Clearwater) was an American racing driver. With one of the longest Indianapolis 500 careers, spanning from 1940 to 1962, Russo entered the race 10 times while it was considered a World Championship round. He scored a podium, shared with Tony Bettenhausen, and 8.5 points, scoring one fastest lap.

The 1938 AAA Eastern Midget Car champion, he began racing in the AAA championship in 1940, and only retired in 1965 after his 100th entry. He scored 15 podiums including two victories in 1950 and 1951, with an overall best championship result of fifth position in 1953.

Regular championship
(Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

* Drivers often drove for two teams at once in the Indy 500. In 1953, Russo had retired from the race in his original car, but was asked to relieve Fred Agabashian, leading the car to fourth place. In 1955, he failed to qualify his main car and was hired by H.A. Chapman as relief driver for Tony Bettenhausen. In 1959, he failed to qualify his main car and was hired by Bardahl and Fred Gerhardt to drive in the race.

† Denotes shared drive with Fred Agabashian after retiring his own car. ‡ Denotes shared drive with Jerry Hoyt. џ Denotes shared drive with Tony Bettenhausen.

Champion Elimination Medals Championship
(Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

* Drivers often drove for two teams at once in the Indy 500. In 1953, Russo had retired from the race in his original car, but was asked to relieve Fred Agabashian, leading the car to fourth place. In 1955, he failed to qualify his main car and was hired by H.A. Chapman as relief driver for Tony Bettenhausen. In 1959, he failed to qualify his main car and was hired by Bardahl and Fred Gerhardt to drive in the race.

† Denotes shared drive with Fred Agabashian after retiring his own car. ‡ Denotes shared drive with Jerry Hoyt. џ Denotes shared drive with Tony Bettenhausen.