Rodgers was a larger-than-life presence in the CART paddock source: CART.com Indianapolis - Jack Rodgers, one of the original investors behind Bettenhausen Motorsports and later minority team owner of Herdez Competition, passed away early today at age 67. Known for his humor and his hospitality, Rodgers was a larger-than-life presence in the CART paddock and the team's Gasoline Alley race shop. Born in Bellflower, Missouri, Rodgers graduated from University of Missouri in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. After graduation, he served in the Air National Guard, including a year of active service in Europe in 1961-62. He and wife Barbara married in May 1963. The vast majority of Jack's business career was spent with Chicago-based agricultural firm, IMC Corporation. Rodgers retired from IMC as National Sales Manager in 1996. He continued to be active in a number of entrepreneurial pursuits, including a property development business in Indianapolis that he owned and operated with his son, Charlie. Rodgers began his involvement in open-wheel motorsports in 1981 when he founded H & R Racing (with Wayne Hillis) and became one of the original backers of Tony Bettenhausen's efforts. He continued his support of Tony as a silent partner in Bettenhausen Motorsports until the death of Tony and Shirley Bettenhausen in a private plane crash on February 14, 2000.
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