Robin Miller's IndyCar Memories: Jerry Karl

He never won a race or a pole and his best finish ever was seventh at the old Ontario Motor Speedway.
But Jerry Karl embodied the little guy in IndyCar racing from 1969-'82 and parlayed his spirit and guile into a successful career that saw him qualify six times for the Indianapolis 500.
Karl came out of Pennsylvania sprint cars and caught the eye of Smokey Yunick and they raced together at Indy in 1973 and 1975. His best ride was in 1975 when Lindsey Hopkins put him in a year-old Eagle and he got up to fifth before a punctured tire sent him into the wall.
When ground effects descended on IndyCar in 1979, Karl re-worked a seven-year-old McLaren and stuck it in the show at IMS in 1980 and 1981. But his highlight came in 1980 at Phoenix when he qualified 19th in his homemade ground effects car with a stock-block Chevy and stormed to the front -- passing Mario Andretti in Roger Penske's car for second place before his engine went sour.
Karl died in a highway accident in 2008 at age 66.

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[gregj]

Thanks so much Robin for doing a piece on Jerry and also, Smokey. God, those were magical wonderful times. I can't imagine the satisfying feeling these guys had in seeing their hard work get them into the World's greatest sporting event? With each lap Jerry did they're thinking "come on man!" Hold together!

[tadroid]

Thanks, Robin. Finding your stories on YouTube has been one flashback after another.

[TalladegaTom]

Smokey Yunick. THE best ever innovative technical genius!

[donolbers]

You know, it sure woulda been nice to see Billy Cassella make it to Indy in 1980. Great stuff Robin, I really enjoy these.

[erikalibby]

Thank you Robin, Jerry was my great uncle. He is still greatly missed by all that knew him.

[jayjackson]

love ya Robin keep em coming, i remember him, just another field filler, but he was somebody the average joe identified with and rooted the hardest for

[terryduncan]

Jerry Karl's old shop is 3 miles from my house in Manchester Pa

[raymondparsons]

One of the Original Stock Block Gang !
Glad you took the time to feature Jerry !
Truly one of the hardcore racers of the lost " Golden era of Open Wheel Racing !

[geezer]

The TONCO trailer car at 2:39 is just about the sleekest Indy car I've ever seen, smooth.

[johnd]

Thanx for sharing, Robin.  Growing up here in PA in the 1960's and 70's my dad took me to all the races - Langhorne, Trenton, Reading, Hatfield, and I saw Jerry Karl run many times...My dad is now 89 and we still reminisce about the good old days...

[ColdSmokes]

Is there any footage anywhere to hear Jerry's car?
I give about anything to hear an over-boosted 207 cubic inch small block Chevy V8.

[benoreskovich]

Just read this morning that his son was piloting a small plane that crashed nose first on street in New Cumberland, PA.

[quadsman]

Thanks Robin !
Enjoy every one of your
"Tough Guy" Series !
Since you featured Jerry, and his Tomko Trailer Car,
would you consider doing a feature story on another one of the lesser known Stock Block builder, drivers,
Roger Rager, and his
Carpenter School Bus,
Advance Clean Sweep Special !
( Led a lap at Indy )
qualifying 10th. in the era of the up and coming "Ground Effects" !
Truly one of the"Tough Guys" !

[quadsman]

Thanks Robin !
Lovin' your pieces on the tough guys in open wheel !
You may have already done a story on
Roger Rager, I apologize if you have.
But talk about a hardcore tough to the bone racer !
Roger " Radar " was likely one of the most underestimated dirt open wheel drivers to run Indy well after the big corporate money, and ground effects were well established !
Yet Roger, much like Jerry Karl did it in a two year old Wildcat, with a Carpenter School bus cast iron block stock block Chevy !
And continued to run Sprints, and Silver Crown cars long after that !
Maybe give Roger, and his #66 Advance CleanSweep, Stock Chevy a bit of talking time !
Thanks again Robin !

[gregj]

Great piece!  I really enjoyed the Phoenix story.  Those stock blocks were quick on the one mile ovals.

[vinceus]

Jerry was an example or perseverence.
Robin should do profiles on Lloyd Ruby, Bill Vukovich, Jr., Jerry Grant, and Salt Walther.

[GregBrownsWorldORacing]

Thanks for sharing Robin, this is a reason I'm still a huge fan of you... Sound's like he might have flunked out of Ball State or some such but had his moments!!!