Professional Auto Racer. A member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, he was inducted in 2001, 41 years after his fatal crash at the Langhorne Speedway in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. He earned his nickname "Cowboy" while busting broncos before he began his racing career. He could, and did, drive almost anything with wheels, winning three AAA-USAC national titles, the Indianapolis 500 in 1958, and was one of the best dirt track drivers ever. He captured his first national championship in 1954 and then won seven dirt races in a row in 1955, but lost the crown. Cowboy then won the championship again in 1956 and 1957. At Indy, he had a dramatic second place finish with a car that was not handling well. He finished third in 1957 and won the checkered flag in 1958. From 1954 through 1958 he amassed more points than anyone ever had in a five year period driving championship cars. During that time, in 1956, he also won the Monza Race of Two Worlds in Italy. In 1960, at the age of 33, he died in a first-lap crash at Langhorne, where he had posted two of his most notable victories.
Professional Auto Racer. A member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, he was inducted in 2001, 41 years after his fatal crash at the Langhorne Speedway in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. He earned his nickname "Cowboy" while busting broncos before he began his racing career. He could, and did, drive almost anything with wheels, winning three AAA-USAC national titles, the Indianapolis 500 in 1958, and was one of the best dirt track drivers ever. He captured his first national championship in 1954 and then won seven dirt races in a row in 1955, but lost the crown. Cowboy then won the championship again in 1956 and 1957. At Indy, he had a dramatic second place finish with a car that was not handling well. He finished third in 1957 and won the checkered flag in 1958. From 1954 through 1958 he amassed more points than anyone ever had in a five year period driving championship cars. During that time, in 1956, he also won the Monza Race of Two Worlds in Italy. In 1960, at the age of 33, he died in a first-lap crash at Langhorne, where he had posted two of his most notable victories.
Bio by: Tom Todd
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