Indy 500 driver deaths

As a driver who came up in the era before windshields were invented, he had learned to keep his mouth shut. Janet guthrie was the first woman to qualify and compete in the indianapolis 500. May 24, 2016 dan wheldon, a twotime indy 500 champion, was killed in a 2011 race in las vegas and driver justin wilson died from injuries suffered when he was struck by debris in a race last season at pocono. Jan 14, 2010 top 25 indianapolis 500 crashes non fatals duration. The 17 years between his first and last indianapolis 500 victories is the longest span of any driver with multiple. He won the indianapolis 500 in 2005 and 2011, and a was cowinner of the 2006 24 hours of daytona with chip ganassi racing cgr. October 17, 2011 racing driver dan wheldon, who won his second indianapolis 500 this year, was killed in a 15car pileup on at the las. John andretti was a professional racer who was a member of the famous andretti racing family. Izod indy car driver dan wheldon was killed in a 15car crash at las vegas motor speedway. Sir stirling moss died 12 apr 2020 hermann unold died 01 apr 2020 john campbelljones died 24 mar 2020 bob hicks died 18 mar 2020 john.

He died of his injuries at a hospital six days later. Nov 30, 2017 it was pole day for the indianapolis 500, a sunny saturday bright with the promise of speed. Indycar driver dan wheldon died following a massive 15car wreck during sundays las vegas indy 300. He was also the first driver to be killed in indycar competition since paul dana died in an accident during practice for the 2006 toyota indy 300 at homesteadmiami speedway. May 26, 2016 dan wheldon, a twotime indy 500 champion, was killed in a 2011 race in las vegas and driver justin wilson died from injuries suffered when he was struck by debris in a race last season at pocono. History and records of the indianapolis 500 nbc sports. People came to see the storied tracks first 200mph laps. Driver bill denver and riding mechanic bob hurst were killed during qualifying and, two days later. Dan wheldon, a twotime indy 500 champion, was killed in a 2011 race in las vegas and driver justin wilson died from injuries suffered when he was struck by debris in a race last season at pocono. Death a grim chapter in storied history of the indy 500. David salt walther, the former auto and hydroplane racer who was severely burned in a spectacular crash in the 1973 indianapolis 500, has died. List of deaths due to car accidents at the indianapolis 500. Unique streamliners set stage for sleek cars of today at indy 500 master mechanics and innovators jim travers and frank coon chalked out a new car on the floor of their torrance, california, shop for car owner howard keck to enter in the 1952 indianapolis 500.

Swede savage 1973 indy 500 fatal crash original abc. List of race car drivers who did not make it out of indy in may. He had won the pole, awarded to the fastest driver on the first day. The indy racing league driver tony renna was killed yesterday morning after crashing during a tire test at indianapolis motor speedway. Driver art pollard was killed in a horrific poleday qualifying crash. The car clipped the wall coming out of turn one and did a halfspin as it headed to the grass on the inside of the short chute. The most spectacular, death defying crashed in indy 500 history. The story of the last spectator death at the indy 500. Stefan wilson said his brothers organs would be donated. Champ car, now called indycar, was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in american championship car racing for many decades, associated primarily with the indianapolis 500. The most spectacular, deathdefying crashed in indy 500 history.

Walther, former indy 500 driver, dead at 65 sports illustrated. Gordon smiley fatal crash during qualifying for indianapolis 500 in rip gordon. They ended the race after a 2hour red flag and held a 5 lap tribute after the announcement in honor of him. This article lists the people who have been fatally injured in american championship. May 5, 1927 may 12, 1973, was an american racecar driver.

Top 25 indianapolis 500 crashes non fatals duration. Jul 14, 2017 the life and death of cheryl glass the female, africanamerican sprint car driver had indy 500 ambitions, but why did the promising racers dream turn to tragedy. Indianapolis john andretti, a member of one of auto racings most famous families and the first driver to attempt the indianapolis 500 and. All fatalities are related to championship car races at the speedway unless otherwise noted fatalities have occurred in conjunction with the indianapolis 500 and. The most spectacular, deathdefying crashed in indy 500. Another was runnerup, art cross, who finished 3min30sec adrift the 1953 indy 500 was hot, the 54 race was barely better. In his long irl racing career, al unser won 39 indycar races, including four at the 500. One hundred years of the indy 500 history smithsonian. Indianapolis 500 driver deaths drivers killed during race 15 1909william bourque, springfield, massachusetts 1919louis lecocq, france arthur thurman, washington, d. Both spectators were killed when charlie merz wrecked which also killed a riding mechanic veteran driver tom alley, driving relief for earl cooper, crashed into a fence, injuring three school boy spectators. One of those wins came in 1970, five years after his first indy 500, and one of those wins came in 1987, six years prior to his last indy 500. Bill vukovich iii, grandson of a twotime winner of the indianapolis 500 and himself the only thirdgeneration indy 500 driver, was killed sunday while practicing for a california racing assn. What you should know about the 2018 indy 500 drivers.

He had been the fastest driver for much of practice. He was the first driver to attempt the memorial day double racing 500 miles at indy and 600 miles in charlotte in the same day. Art pollard fatal accident at indy 500 may 12, 1973. Indy 500 deaths the incredible crash of driver swede. Most recently, driver scott brayton, who had won the pole position, died due to a skull fracture sustained during a practice run while testing a backup car in 1996. Nascar driver ryan newman in horrific crash at daytona 500. Hd crash footage from abc in slow motion 1982 indy 500. May 22, 2018 most recent indy 500 spectator death may 24, 1987. In 1905 the aaa established the national driving championship. Read 9 most tragic auto racing deaths and other more, sports lists articles from total pro sports. Swede savage 1973 indy 500 fatal crash original abc broadcast footage. Fatalities have occurred in conjunction with the indianapolis 500 and its precursors, the brickyard 400, the moto gp event, the speedways golf. He was also a liaison between spokespeople and indycar drivers, which meant that the entire circuit took a hit after his untimely death. A total of 23 drivers have been killed during practice or qualifying runs at the indy 500.

The breakdown is 41 drivers, 14 mechanics, 4 track personnel and 8 spectators. The running of the 83rd indianapolis 500 is the fourth race in the current 11 race indy racing league season. When a tire kills your husband at the indy 500 the indianapolis star. Mar 24, 2020 on race day, one of the hottest indy 500s of all time, one driver died of heat stroke and only five finishers managed to do so without the aid of a relief driver. The threat of a driver death still looms in an openwheel race. Some of the worst crashes in indianapolis 500 history the morning. Articles on how to boost your online presence nascar crash, old. Six people died at the speedway in accidents during races contested before the first indianapolis 500. Sir stirling moss died 12 apr 2020 hermann unold died 01 apr 2020 john campbelljones died 24 mar 2020. The event was part of the 1958 usac national championship trail, and was also race 4 of 11 in the 1958 world championship of drivers. The following is a list of 73 individuals killed at the indianapolis motor speedway. Some of the worst crashes in indianapolis 500 history the. Celebrating with a big bottle of milk is one of the most famous indy 500 traditions. Pat oconnor was killed in a 15car pileup, after sustaining a fatal head injury after rolling his car and catching fire on the first lap of the 1958 indianapolis 500.

Andrettis uncle is former indy 500 winner mario andretti, and he is the cousin of former racers michael and jeff. Heres the type of milk each 2019 driver wants to have. As the race started, salt walther and jerry grant touched wheels, launching. The design offset and lowered the engine and surrounded the driver with a highsided cockpit, creating the. May 24, 2016 the threat of a driver death still looms in an openwheel race. Veteran driver tom alley, driving relief for earl cooper, crashed into a fence, injuring three school boy spectators. Jul 12, 2017 here are the most memorable crashes in indianapolis 500 history, where the drivers lived to race another day. Most recent deadly accident at the indianapolis 500 swede savage 1973 there have been 14 drivers that have died while racing in. They saw, instead, the fatal first day of the old tracks deadliest may since 1937.

On 22 october, wheldon was given a funeral at the first presbyterian church of st. List of fatalities at the indianapolis motor speedway wikipedia. All the fatal accidents of the indy 500 in history. Andrettis uncle is former indy 500 winner mario andretti, and he. Pat oconnor october 9, 1928 may 30, 1958 was an american racecar driver from north vernon, indiana. Driver, date of crash, sanction, track, event, teamowner, car. Bill vukovich 1955 one of the most heartwrenching accidents in history happened in 1955. By 1959, there had been 50 deaths at the indianapolis motor speedway since.

Indianapolis motor speedway indianapolis 500, alvin jones. Versatile racecar driver john andretti, a nephew of racing legend mario andretti, died at age 56 after a lengthy battle with colon cancer. There have been 14 drivers that have died while racing in the indy 500 dating back to 1919. Notable deaths john andretti 19632020, nascar and indycar racer. Daniel clive wheldon 22 june 1978 16 october 2011 was a british motor racing driver who won the 2005 indycar series drivers championship for andretti green racing agr. Driver art pollard was killed in an accident during pole day practice. The greatest drivers in racing will compete for racing immortality in the greatest spectacle in racing at the indianapolis motor speedway. The list covers deaths that occurred on the national championship trail. The 104th running of the indianapolis 500 presented by gainbridge is scheduled for sunday, may 24, 2020.

The tire that changed karen kurtenbachs life weighed 18. A somber look at the unfortunate driver, spectator, team member, and rescue worker deaths due to car crashes over the years at the indy 500. Top sprint car driver bryan clauson died one day after a crash while leading the. Here are the most memorable crashes in indianapolis 500 history, where the drivers lived to race another day. Michael andretti scores his final win at long beach while we would have loved to be in long beach this coming weekend, we felt it still appropriate to look back at one of the memorable races on the iconic street circuit. Deadly may of 1973 still resonates at indianapolis motor speedway.

Drivers ntt indycar series, indy lights, indy pro 2000. Scottish driver dario franchitti, who won the indy 500 on three occasions, poses with the trophy at the brickyard in 2010. Oldest living indy 500 driver reflects on memorable life. Indycar drivers who died racing indy motor speedway. May 25, 2018 rossi won the 100th indy 500 in 2016 by stretching his fuel longer than any rookie should have been able, and he has become a more polished indycar driver with two more victories since. The most recent driver to be killed in an indycar series event was justin wilson at the 2015 abc supply 500. At least then it would stop killing drivers, mechanics and spectators at. Art pollard fatal accident at indy 500 may 12, 1973 all. His brother, stefan wilson, will race the indy 500 in his honor.

Oct 16, 2011 dan wheldon died today, october 16, 2011, after this hard wreck at las vegas motorspeedway. The steadily running and dependable driver from grants pass, ore. May 25, 2016 dan wheldon, a twotime indy 500 champion, was killed in a 2011 race in las vegas and driver justin wilson died from injuries suffered when he was struck by debris in a race last season at pocono. May 21, 20 driver art pollard was killed in an accident during a practice driver swede savage and mechanic armando teran also died a crowd estimated at 250,000 swarmed indianapolis motor speedways. A tire from a crashed race car was struck by another race car, launching it over the catch fence and striking lyle kurtenbach. Acting as traffic director on track after a crash and fire, a fire truck, driven by his friend no less, accidentally backed over him, killing him. Death a grim chapter in storied history of indianapolis 500. Feb 01, 2017 nascar and indy 500 deaths cast shadow on 1964 racing season. It has been 50 years since dave macdonald and eddie sachs died as a result of a second lap crash during the running of the 1964 indianapolis 500, one of the worst accidents in speedway history. May 18, 1996 with 14 previous starts in the indy 500 and 150 indy car races, brayton was the most experienced driver in the lineup this year.

Nov 30, 2017 in the 1973 indianapolis 500, savage was entered in an stpsponsored eagleoffenhauser number 40 prepared by master mechanic george bignotti. List of fatalities at the indianapolis motor speedway. Born in dragon, utah, pollard died in indianapolis, indiana, as a result of injuries sustained in practice for the 1973 indianapolis 500. Dan wheldon, 33, became the first driver to be killed in an indycar wreck since paul dana was killed back in march of 2006 at homesteadmiami speedway when he was killed in a massive 15car wreck.

Stan fox indy 500 crash in 1995 stan fox suffers a huge crash with eddie cheever at indy 500 stan fox, his legs exposed, sits in his airborne car after the front end was torn off while slamming into the first turn wall on the opening lap of the 1995 indianapolis foxs legs were uninjured, but he was hospitalized with serious head injuries. Nascar and indy 500 deaths cast shadow on 1964 racing season. Total number of people killed as of 409 involved in the 500 is 67. A firetruck, racing to a crash on the track, hit the crewman on pit lane. The race is remembered historically as a moment of firsts for the event. Without a doubt, one of the saddest fatal crashes in nascar history has to be the 2001 daytona 500 racethe very race that ended up taking nascar legend dale earnhardts life. The 42nd international 500 mile sweepstakes was held at the indianapolis motor speedway on friday, may 30, 1958. On the first day of qualifying, gusting winds slowed savage from matching his best practice speeds, but he still shattered the track record with a fourlap qualifying average of 196. But one of those was winner, vukovich, who had led 195 laps.