Auto Race Car Driver. Fifteen time starter of the Indianapolis 500,1968-81, 83, best finish, 3rd, 1979. On April 25, 1971 he won the 200 mile United States Auto Club (USAC) Champ Car race at Trenton, NJ for the first of his five career wins in 167 starts. Received serious injuries while leading the Indianapolis 500 in 1971 and 1972. After hitting the fourth turn wall during the '72 race, to avoid further injuries, Mike chose to bail out of his burning car while it was traveling at approximately 120 miles per hour. He sat on the track surface "patting out" the flames on his legs as other cars sped by. At Phoenix in April of 1974, he became the first driver in USAC history to win a race from starting in the last position. After winning the Milwaukee 200 in August of 1975 he announced his retirement, only to return the next spring. During the 1979 500, Mike turned the fastest lap of the race, 193.216 on the way to his best Speedway finish. In 1981 he placed Dan Gurney's stock block Eagle on the front row only to experience transmission failure, becoming the first car out of the race. A front row starter again in 1983, he lost valuable time due to a series of bad pit stops before crashing on the 171st lap, finishing 13th. Mike Mosley was extremely popular with his fellow drivers, the media and fans. His death has left a void in the racing community that has never be filled.
Auto Race Car Driver. Fifteen time starter of the Indianapolis 500,1968-81, 83, best finish, 3rd, 1979. On April 25, 1971 he won the 200 mile United States Auto Club (USAC) Champ Car race at Trenton, NJ for the first of his five career wins in 167 starts. Received serious injuries while leading the Indianapolis 500 in 1971 and 1972. After hitting the fourth turn wall during the '72 race, to avoid further injuries, Mike chose to bail out of his burning car while it was traveling at approximately 120 miles per hour. He sat on the track surface "patting out" the flames on his legs as other cars sped by. At Phoenix in April of 1974, he became the first driver in USAC history to win a race from starting in the last position. After winning the Milwaukee 200 in August of 1975 he announced his retirement, only to return the next spring. During the 1979 500, Mike turned the fastest lap of the race, 193.216 on the way to his best Speedway finish. In 1981 he placed Dan Gurney's stock block Eagle on the front row only to experience transmission failure, becoming the first car out of the race. A front row starter again in 1983, he lost valuable time due to a series of bad pit stops before crashing on the 171st lap, finishing 13th. Mike Mosley was extremely popular with his fellow drivers, the media and fans. His death has left a void in the racing community that has never be filled.
Bio by: Jim Adams
Family Members
Parents
Siblings
Advertisement
