Howard Omer "Howdy" Wilcox (February 20, 1905 – October 13, 1946) was an American racing driver active during the 1930s. He commonly raced as Howdy Wilcox II to differentiate himself from fellow Championship Car driver – and 1919 Indianapolis 500 winner – Howdy Wilcox, to whom he was unrelated.[1]
| Howdy Wilcox II | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Wilcox in 1933 | |||||||
| Born | Howard Omer Wilcox February 20, 1905 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | October 13, 1946 (aged 41) Converse, Indiana, U.S. | ||||||
| Champ Car career | |||||||
| 6 races run over 2 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 3rd (1932) | ||||||
| First race | 1932 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis) | ||||||
| Last race | 1932 Oakland 150 (Oakland) | ||||||
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Biography
editWilcox was born on February 20, 1905, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
After finishing second at the 1932 Indianapolis 500 in his rookie year, Wilcox was disqualified after qualifying for the 1933 Indianapolis 500, because race officials learned of medical problems Wilcox was having due to diabetes. Other drivers in the race attempted to get Wilcox reinstated, but his car ended up being driven by future three-time winner Mauri Rose.[2] Following the race Wilcox sued the speedway for slander, claiming reports had labeled him epileptic rather than diabetic. The $50,000 suit was settled for $3000.[3]
Wilcox died on October 13, 1946, in Converse, Indiana. He had stepped onto the track to wave the checkered flag for Jimmy Wilburn and was hit by the car of Kenneth Wines who was following close behind.[4][5]
Motorsports career results
editIndianapolis 500 results
edit
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References
edit- ^ "The Talk of Gasoline Alley" - May 22, 2011
- ^ Reed, Terry. Indy: The Race and Ritual of the Indianapolis 500. Potomac Books 2005. page 31. ISBN 978-1-57-488907-9.
- ^ Bloemker, Al, 500 Miles to Go, The Story of the Indianapolis Speedway Archived 2016-03-09 at the Wayback Machine 1961. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
- ^ "Veteran Howdy Wilcox Killed by Racing Car". Associated Press. October 14, 1946. Retrieved 2012-10-02.
Wilcox, who was second in 500 mile Indianapolis speedway race in 1932 was the starter for the race. He stepped out onto the track to give the winning ...
[permanent dead link] - ^ "Race Car Kills Ex-Driver. Howard Wilcox Finished Second in 1932 Indianapolis Classic". New York Times. October 14, 1946. Retrieved 2012-10-02.