Paul Goldsmith, the oldest living Indy 500 starter, died at 98 Friday

Paul Goldsmith, who was the oldest living Indianapolis 500 starter, died Friday in Munster, Indiana, Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced. He was 98.

Goldsmith, a West Virginia native, made six straight Indy 500 starts between 1958-63 with his best finish third in 1960 in the No. 99 Demler Epperly/Offy car. He finished fifth in 1959 despite not completing a lap as a rookie in 1958 due to a multi-car accident in which Pat O'Connor died.

Goldsmith made just eight starts in open-wheel racing, including the six Indy 500 starts.

Goldsmith grew up in Detroit and began racing motorcycles as a teenager after World War II with his first major American Motorcyclist Association win coming in 1952 at Wisconsin State Fair Park, now known as the Milwaukee Mile. He won the Daytona 200 motorcycle race in 1953 and the 100-mile race at Langhorne (Pennsylvania) Speedway. Goldsmith finished second in the AMA standings in 1954.

Goldsmith added stock car racing in 1953, winning a 250-mile race at the Detroit Fairgrounds. He made his final motorcycle start in 1956, earning his first NASCAR win that year at Langhorne. Goldsmith was the last NASCAR Grand National winner on the old beach course in 1958 in Daytona Beach, Florida, according to the IMS news release. He's the only driver to win on the beach course in a car and on a motorcycle.

Goldsmith won the USAC Stock Car championship in 1961 and 1962, finishing second in 1960 and 1965. He won 26 USAC Stock Car races in 85 starts.

He is in several Halls of Fame, including the IMS Hall of Fame, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, Motorcycle Hall of Fame, USAC Hall of Fame and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Goldsmith retired in 1969 to focus on being a pilot. He trained pilots for China East Airlines, flew to races and owned an aviation engine repair business and an airport in Griffith, Indiana. Goldsmith also owned a series of ranches and restaurants. Goldsmith was predeceased by his wife, Helen, and son, Greg. He is survived by his daughter, Linda Goldsmith-Slifer.