Tinley Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Bettenhausens
Photographed by Bob Cook, April 30, 2026
1. The Bettenhausens Marker
On this site in the late 1800s, Christian Bettenhausen founded a family farm. In 1937 his youngest son Tony left that farm to go racing. From dusty short tracks to the hallowed Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tony clawed his way to the top. He won National Championships in 1951 & 1958, and competed in 14 Indy 500s before dying testing a friend's car there in 1961. Despite the tragedy sons Gary, Merle and Tony Jr. with their mother and sister Sue their biggest fans, chased their father's dream to create an iconic racing clan loved by fans worldwide.
Endowed with their father's talent and iron resolve, they won at every level. With those same attributes they overcame life's adversities. Gary, Sprint car Champion in 1969 & 197l, and a 21-time 500 starter, lost the use of his left arm in a crash. He heroically returned to winning. An Indy Car crash cost Merle his right arm, but he recovered to win again. Tony Jr, with 11 500 starts, created his own Indy Car team from scratch before dying in a plane crash in 2000. It's with good reason that the Bettenhausens have been lauded with racing’s top honors.
Erected by Racingmemorial.org.
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Roads & Vehicles • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Racing Memorial Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.
Location. 41° 34.755′ N, 87° 48.9′ W. Marker is in Tinley Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from West 171st Street west of South 80th Avenue, on the left when traveling west. The marker stands along the sidewalk along the main entrance to the Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8125 W 171st St, Tinley Park IL 60477, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this
Photographed by Bob Cook, April 30, 2026
2. Back side of The Bettenhausens Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2026, by Bob Cook of Chicago, Illinois. This page has been viewed 23 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 2, 2026, by Bob Cook of Chicago, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
