Alsup, Bill
Name/Title
Alsup, BillEntry/Object ID
2025.1.23Photograph Details
Subject
Bill Alsup was an American race car driver best remembered as the first-ever CART Rookie of the Year in 1979 and for finishing runner-up in the 1981 CART Championship. Born on July 15, 1938, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Alsup entered professional racing later in life, first making his mark by winning the SCCA Super Vee Championship and the USAC Mini-Indy Series in 1978. He then moved up to Indy cars, competing in 57 CART and USAC Champ Car races between 1979 and 1984. His best season came in 1981, when he drove for Team Penske alongside Rick Mears and Bobby Unser. Although he never won a race, Alsup’s consistency earned him three podium finishes and second place in the overall championship standings. He also qualified for the 1981 Indianapolis 500, finishing 11th in his only Indy 500 start. Despite these successes, Alsup’s career was marked by challenges. After leaving Penske, he returned to running his own team, but struggled to remain competitive against better-funded operations. His final CART start came in 1984 at Sanair Super Speedway. Away from the track, Alsup was known as a businessman and ski industry entrepreneur before dedicating himself to racing. Tragically, he died on August 9, 2016, at age 78, in a crane accident near Silverton, Colorado. Though winless in top-level Indy car competition, Alsup’s determination and his remarkable 1981 season cemented his place in American open-wheel racing history. For more information, you can visit these websites - Gordon Kirby – Remembering Bill Alsup INDYCAR: Bill Alsup 1938 - 2016 - RacerCollection
Dr. Frederick A. Simeone Founder CollectionCategory
Simeone - Photographs