RACER: Robin Miller's Toughest Drivers Series — Gary Bettenhausen

He lost the use of his left arm and ride with Roger Penske in the same 1974 accident but Gary Bettenhausen epitomized toughness and he came back from those setbacks to stay competitive for the next 20 years.

A two-time USAC sprint champion before his injury, Bettenhausen changed his driving style to compensate for his injury and captured a pair of USAC Silver Crown titles by parlaying his savvy and smoothness behind the wheel.

Robbed of a sure victory in the 1972 Indy 500 while running for Penske, Bettenhausen's true grit really showed in 1980 when he started 32nd and charged to third place at the track that claimed his father in 1961.

"The Schmuck" (nickname courtesy of best pal Bill Vukovich) was inspiring for four decades and RACER's Robin Miller reflects on his colorful career.

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