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Former Indy 500 starter dies
January 16, 2004
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Duane Sweeney, the chief starter of the Indianapolis 500 from 1980 until 1996, is dead. He was 81.
Sweeney died Thursday at his home in New Berlin, Wis.
In 1981, Sweeney waved the checkered flag for Bobby Unser's win over Mario Andretti, a victory that ultimately was decided in the courts.
Sweeney, born in Mitchell, S.D., first became a flagman when he went with his brother to score a motorcycle race and the starter didn't show up. He spent 27 years as a flagman in Wisconsin.
In one race, Sweeney went to the track to wave the white flag signaling the final lap. He slipped on some dirt and fell on his back, waving the white flag from that position as cars avoided running over him.
In a 2002 interview, Sweeney summed up his career: ``Made millions of friends, millions of enemies. Enjoyed every minute. Lots of heartaches and a lot of laughs.''
Survivors include his wife, Mary, a son and two daughters. A third daughter, Joan Ramirez, 51, died last week.
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