Bill Vukovich (born December 13, 1918 in Fresno, California, died May 30, 1955), was an American automobile racing driver. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 1416 - The Council of Constance, called by the Emperor Sigismund a supporter of Antipope John XXIII burns Jerome of Prague following Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Auto racing (also known as automobile racing, motor racing or car racing) is a Motorsport involving Racing Cars It He was known variously as "Vuky" and "The Mad Russian" for his intense driving style, as well as the "Silent Serb" for his cool demeanour. [1] Several drivers of his generation have referred to him as the greatest ever encountered in American motorsport. [2]
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Racer
Midget car
Before he began Indy racing, Vukovich drove midget cars for the Edelbrock dirt track racing team. Midget cars are very small Race cars with a very high Power-to-weight ratios and typically using Four-cylinder engines Despite their name they are fully Edelbrock Corporation is a specialty performance automotive and Motorcycle aftermarket parts Manufacturer. This article concerns auto racing motorcycles, horses, and dogs also race on dirt tracks He raced on the West Coast of the United States in the URA, and won the series' 1945 and 1946 midget car championships. The " West Coast " " Western Seaboard " or " Pacific Seaboard " are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the Western United States Vukovich won the 1948 Turkey Night Grand Prix at Gilmore Stadium, and six of the last eight races at the stadium track before it was closed for good. The Turkey Night Grand Prix is an annual race of sprint cars and midget cars. Gilmore Stadium was a multi-use Stadium in Los Angeles, California. [3] He won the 1950 AAA National Midget championship. The AAA (usually read triple-A) formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is an American not-for-profit Automobile
Indianapolis 500
In 1952, his sophomore year in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's 500-Mile Race, he quickly moved up from his starting position in the middle of the third row to take the lead, and led 150 laps in dominant fashion before suffering steering failure on the 192nd of the 200 laps. The 1952 Indianapolis 500 was held on Friday May 30, 1952 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway Indiana (an Enclave of Indianapolis) in the United States, is the home of the The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, often shortened to Indianapolis 500 or Indy 500, and historically known simply as "The 500" is an American He returned to win the race in consecutive years, 1953 and 1954. The 1953 Indianapolis 500 was held on Saturday May 30, 1953 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 1954 Indianapolis 500 was held on Monday May 31, 1954 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He led an astounding 71. Indianapolis 500-Mile Race all-time lap leaders Green indicates drivers active as of most recent race. 7% of laps that he drove in competition at the track, and remains the only driver ever to lead the most laps in the race three consecutive years. [3]
Death at Indy
He was killed in a chain-reaction crash while holding a 17-second lead on the 57th lap of the 1955 Indianapolis 500. The 1955 Indianapolis 500 was held on Monday May 30, 1955 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Vukovich was exiting the second turn, trailing three slower cars — driven by Rodger Ward, Al Keller, and Johnny Boyd — when Ward's car swerved as the result of a strong gust of wind. Rodger Ward ( January 10, 1921 &ndash July 5, 2004) was an American Racecar driver who won the 1959 and 1962 Indianapolis Al Keller ( April 11, 1920 Alexander New York &ndash November 19, 1961 Phoenix Arizona) was an American Johnny Boyd ( August 19, 1926 - October 27, 2003) was an American racecar driver Keller, swerving into the infield to avoid Ward, lost control and slid back onto the track, striking Boyd's car and pushing it into Vukovich's oncoming path. Vukovich's car struck Boyd's, became airborne, and landed upside down after going over the outside backstretch retaining wall and somersaulting several times, killing him. Vukovich was the second of two not only former winners but also defending champions of the race to have died in competition, following Floyd Roberts in 1939, and the only former winner to have been killed while leading. Floyd Roberts ( February 12, 1904 - May 30, 1939) is a former Championship Car racing driver from Jamestown North Dakota Coincidentally, Roberts' car was also thrown over the backstretch fence after exiting the second turn during his fatal accident.
Lifetime achievement awards
- Vukovich was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1991. The International Motorsports Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame dedicated to enshrining those who have contributed the most to Auto racing either as a driver owner
- He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1992. The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is a Hall of Fame and museum in Novi Michigan for American motorsports legends
- He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1990. The National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame and museum for midget cars.
Family
His son, Bill Vukovich II, and his grandson, Bill Vukovich III, also competed in the Indianapolis 500, with Vukovich II taking second in 1973, and Vukovich III being named Rookie of the Year in 1988. Bill Vukovich II (born March 29, 1944, Fresno California) is a former driver in the championship car division of USAC and CART Billy Vukovich III or Bill Vukovich III ( August 31, 1963 – November 25, 1990) was an American race car driver Results of the 1973 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Wednesday May 30, 1973 (see note below Winners of the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Award first awarded in 1952 Results of the 1988 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Sunday May 29, 1988.
Indy 500 results
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World Championship career summary
The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Bill Vukovich participated in 5 World Championship races. He started on the pole once, won 2 races, set 3 fastest lead laps, and finished on the podium twice. He accumulated a total of 19 championship points.
References
- ^ Vukovich Indy 500 Trophy Sale Inspires Memories
- ^ Bill Vukovich at espn.com
- ^ a b Biography at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame, Retrieved January 4, 2007
- ^ Bill Vukovich Indy 500 Race Stats [1]
See also
External links
| Preceded by Troy Ruttman |
Indianapolis 500 Winner 1953 |
Succeeded by Repeat |
| Preceded by Repeat |
Indianapolis 500 Winner 1954 |
Succeeded by Bob Sweikert |
| Preceded by Onofre Marimón |
Formula One fatal accidents May 30, 1955 |
Succeeded by Eugenio Castellotti |
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