Nick Dioguardi

Nick Dioguardi (October 12, 1932 - May 11, 2015) was a racing driver born in Alia, Italy, based in Glendale, California. Throughout his career Dioguardi made a single IndyCar start in 1970.

Racing career

Dioguardi first appeared on the national racing series at the 1965 SCCA National Championship Runoffs. At Daytona International Speedway Dioguardi ran a Brabham in the Formula SCCA race. Dioguardi started 21st but failed to finish the race running in ninth place. The following year, at Riverside International Raceway, the Italian born driver finished in first place beating Phil Groggins.^[1] In 1969 Dioguardi, at the Riverside Grand Prix, his Lotus Formula C struck a photographer. The photographer survived the impact suffering a broken leg.^[2]

As of 1968 Dioguardi also ran in Formula A. Both times, in 1968 and 1969, the Italian driver failed to finish the race. Dioguardi first ran a World Racing Enterprises Shadow in 1968 and a Surtees TS5 the following year. In 1969 Dioguardi also entered the Continental 49'er at Sears Point Raceway. The fast racing driver finished in fifteenth place in the fourth round of the 1969 SCCA Continental Championship.^[3] In 1971 Dioguardi ran the complete season in the Surtees. Sponsored by Delta Tire Dioguardi scored a single point. At the Mid-Ohio Grand Prix the Surtees driver finished in tenth place.^[4]

Dioguardi made two appearances in IndyCar. In 1969 the Italian driver was entered by Arciero Racing in an Eisert 64. The car built to Formula A specifications failed to qualify at Riverside.^[5] The following year Dioguardi returned, at Phoenix International Raceway. He qualified 24th, and last. After 28 of the Phoenix 150 Dioguardi crashed.^[6]

The Italian driver later made appearances in Can-Am. In 1972 Dioguardi ran at Laguna Seca and Riverside. The Italian ran a Titanium Ti22. The car was revolutionary when it was introduced in 1969 but disappointed earlier at the hands of Jackie Oliver and David Hobbs. Dioguardi's best result was 13th at Riverside.^[7]

Personal

Dioguardi was born October 12, 1932 in Alia, Sicily. Together with his parents and two brothers the family moved to Los Angeles in 1949. In 1953 the family settled in Glendale, California in 1953. The three brothers ran Dio Brothers Automotive. On 11 May 2015, Dioguardi passed away in his native Alia.^[8]

Car collection

Dioguardi was an avid car collector. The Dioguardi Collectioned was auctioned after he passed away.^[9] The March 86C, chassis number 86C-24, was raced by Josele Garza in the 1986 Indianapolis 500. The car was later raced by Chip Ganassi.^[10]

Motorsports results

SCCA National Championship Runoffs

American Open-Wheel racing results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest race lap)

USAC National Championship

Year	Team	Car	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	Rank	Points
1969	Arciero Racing	Eisert 64	PHX1	HAN	INDY	MIL	LAN	PIP	CDR	NAZ	TRE1	IRP1	IRP1	MIL2	SPR	DDIS	DQSF	ISF	BRN1	BRN2	TRE2	SAC	KEN1	KEN2	PHX2	RIV DNQ	N.C.	-
1970	Arciero Racing	Eisert 64	PHX1 21	SON	TRE1	INDY	MIL1	LAN	CDR	MIC	IRP	SPR	IRP1	MIL2	ONT	DQSF	ISF	SED	TRE2	SAC	PHX2						N.C.	-

SCCA Grand Prix Championship

Year	Team	Car	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	Rank	Points
1969		WRE-Shadow	RIV	LS	CDR	SON 15	ROA	LRP1	BRA	LRP2	TRE	THO	SEB			-	0
1970		WRE-Shadow	RIV	EDM	SEA	LS	SON DNS	DAL	ROA<	TRE	BRA	LRP	MOS	MDO	SEB	-	0
1971	Dioguardi Bros	Surtees TS5B	RIV 24	LS 26	SEA 19	MDO 10	ROA 16	EDM 22	BRA 13	LRP 21						28th	1

Can-Am results

Year	Team	Car	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Rank	Points
1972	Dioguardi Bros	Titanium Ti22	MOS	ATL	WGI	MDO	ROA	DON	EDM	LS DNS	RIV 13	N.C.	-

References