By: Spencer Neff
March 1, 2025

Former INDYCAR driver and crew member Lee Kunzman passed away on Thursday at age 80. The Guttenberg, Iowa native made 50 starts in USAC and CART from 1969-1980.

During that time, his best performances would come during the 1979 CART doubleheader weekend at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. In the first race, Kunzman earned a career-best finish of second, being passed by Johnny Rutherford for the victory with three laps remaining.

At the second 125-mile race that day, Kunzman matched his career-best start of second (Texas World Speedway-1973). He would complete just three laps before falling out of the race with gearbox issues.

Kunzman also earned a career-best Indianapolis 500 start of 11th that season. In four career starts at the “500”, he earned a career-best finish of 7th in 1973 and 1974.

Following his driving career, Kunzman saw even more success as a crew member. During the early years of the Indy Racing League, Kunzman was Team Manager for Hemelgarn Racing, which earned the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and 2000 Indy Racing League Championship with driver Buddy Lazier. Lazier and Hemelgarn won eight times in a six-year span.

He even overcame severe burns and injuries following a 1970 sprint car crash at I-70 Speedway n Odessa, Missouri.

IndyCar1909 would like to thank Lee Kunzman for his contributions to auto racing. We extend our condolences to his friends and family.

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