Pat Patrick
A life of speed, grit, and a little bit of luck.
From small town country boy to the Motorsports Hall of Fame. He often said this wouldn’t be possible without his team. Help share his story by leaving a tribute, a photo, or a lesson on the View Tributes page.
About Pat
Ueal Eugene “Pat” Patrick, 91, of Jackson, Michigan, died on January 5, 2021, in Scottsdale, Arizona. There will be a private burial in his hometown of Homer, Michigan at Cook’s Prairie Cemetery next to his parents Maxine and Cleveland Patrick and his sister Viola Spradlin.
Pat was born in Floyd County, Kentucky to Maxine and Cleveland Patrick on March 10, 1929. He graduated from Homer Community High School in 1948 and then enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as a Radio Operator in Alaska until 1952. He went on to earn a BA in Accounting and Economics from Michigan College, now known as Michigan State University.
After working for a local CPA firm and then an oil supply company, Pat became a “Wildcatter” in the oil business with Patrick Petroleum Company in 1962. For over forty years he explored and produced wells throughout North America, eventually listing Patrick Petroleum on the New York Stock Exchange.
In 1970 Pat founded Patrick Racing where he won three Indianapolis 500s and three national championships. His STP Patrick Racing Car, nicknamed the “Wildcat”, is the last American made car to win the Indianapolis 500 in 1982. He has been inducted to the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame, the Auto Racing Hall of Fame, and the Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Pat enjoyed hunting, fishing, and poker, most of the time with his family. He is survived by his sister Elmina Hackworth, children Steven, Rick, and Sherry, eight grandchildren, Heather, Brett, Bryce, Garrett, Molly, Patrick, Sean, and Ryan, and one great-grandson, Liam. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Viola, and son, Mark.
In place of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, something he cared very much about. Thank you to all who have expressed their appreciation of our father and the many people who have become family throughout his life.
Key Lessons
Family First
Anyone close to Pat knew he put his Family, of which his definition was much broader, first. He helped his own family and others regularly. Family was everything to Pat, and he to them.
Remember where you came from
“You can take the boy out of the country, but not the country out of the boy.” – Pat
If you're gonna be a bear, be a grizzly
If you’re going to do something, give it your all, and then some.
Life is a snowball
Life is about choices that build on top of each other, eventually creating a snowball. To be successful in business, just start your snowball.
Be a wildcatter.
Even if you drill 18 dry wells, don’t give up. Find value in where other people overlook.
surround yourself with great people
Nothing is accomplished alone. Cherish the team and put yourself in a room with smarter people than yourself (which he often joked was easy to do).
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Pricing & Plans
See what the drivers, sponsors, and friends in the racing community have been saying.
Gallery
View pictures and videos from Pat’s personal and professional life.
Memory Lane
Walk with Pat through memory lane and learn more about his path.