8/24/2018
Badger Midget Auto Racing Association
Service for Badger Driver Bob Cleberg Friday Aug. 24
A memorial service for former Badger Midget and IndyCar driver Bob Cleberg will be held on Friday Aug. 24 at Redeemer Lutheran Church 610 Lincoln Ave. in Rio Wi. with visitation at 10am ,service at 11am.
The Rio, Wi. native who ran the Ford garage in town, won his first Badger Midget feature in 1953, at Angell Park Speedway on his way to an 8th place point finish. Cleberg then backed up the next season with four more victories at the famed facility dominating the month of August winning: Aug. 1, Aug. 8, Aug.22, and Aug. 29.
One year later Cleberg, making his second career start in the Little 500 at Anderson Speedway, started last in the field. When the dust settled on the two-hour plus race, he was standing in victory lane, having led 168-laps of the event. Cleberg despite failing to in a Badger event scored his best points finish, coming home in fourth place.
Cleberg then moved to Arizona and continued his racing, and business interests in the Grand Canyon State. Cleberg made his Indy Car debut in the final two events of the 1959 season at Sacramento, and Phoenix.
The following year (1960) Cleberg passed his drivers test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but failed to qualify for the race. The season ended on a high note, with Cleberg winning his only IndyCar pole topping the field at the season finale in Phoenix. Cleberg continued racing in Arizona for many years with great success before retiring to the Tucson area. Cleberg died at 89 years old on July 28.
A moment of silence was held for Cleberg was during opening ceremonies at the Aug. 5 Angell Park Speedway Badger Midget Series event.
Article Credit: Bryan Gapinski