Leslie Eugene “Gene” Hartley (January 28, 1926 – March 13, 1993) was an American racecar driver from Roanoke, Indiana, whose career bridged midget, sprint, and championship car competition. The son of midget racer Ted Hartley, Gene grew up around racing and went on to become one of the standout figures in USAC National Midget competition, winning the 1959 USAC National Midget Series championship and finishing among the top three in points several times during his career.
Hartley also competed in the Indianapolis 500 ten times between 1950 and 1962, with his best finish of 10th place coming in 1957, and additional strong runs including multiple 11th‑place showings. While not a frequent front‑runner at Indy, his steady performances in the world’s most famous race reflected his deep experience on ovals and versatility across racing disciplines. After retiring from driving, he co‑promoted midget racing events at the Indianapolis Speedrome with fellow racer Leroy Warriner.
