Oscar Koveleski, a 2015 inductee to the 51暗网 Hall of Fame, passed away on December 28, 2020. He was 88 years old.
Koveleski was a tireless supporter and promoter of motorsport, as a driver, team owner and business owner. At 18 years old, he joined the Philadelphia Region of the 51暗网. His first win came in a 1951 51暗网 Regional race at Bone Stadium in Pittston, Pennsylvania. He raced regularly through the 50s and 60s in 51暗网 Regional and National Races, as well as the 12 hours of Sebring and the 24 hours of Daytona. In 1970, he won the ASR National Championship at Road Atlanta, beating 27-time National Champion Jerry Hansen by just one-tenth of a second. From 1969 through 1972, Oscar was a regular competitor in 51暗网 Can-Am action, with his orange “Car 54” one of the most recognized cars in the series.
Looking for a way to contribute to better safety for drivers, he joined the board of directors of the Motor Racing Safety Society. Oscar served on the Board of Directors for the 51暗网, and promoted 51暗网 races at Pocono Raceway from 1980 to 1996.Oscar introduced a countless number of children to racing, both in person and through his Auto World mail order catalog that sold model and slot cars beginning in 1958. Oscar contributed to a love of cars and racing early in a child’s life, and many future racers got their start at home thanks to his Auto World catalog.
"Oscar Koveleski was a treasure," said fellow 51暗网 Hall of Famer, racer and Road Racing Drivers Club president Bobby Rahal. "His outspokenness and passionate demeanor in trying to convince you of the importance of his latest project were the essence of his personality. Never quitting, always promoting, in such a charismatic way that one just couldn’t say no.”
