Howdy Wilcox II explained

Howdy Wilcox II
Birth Name:Howard Omer Wilcox
Birth Date:20 February 1905
Birth Place:Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Death Place:Converse, Indiana, U.S.
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Total Champ Races:6
Years In Champ:2
Best Champ Pos:3rd (1932)
First Champ Race:1932 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Last Champ Race:1932 Oakland 150 (Oakland)
Champ Wins:0
Champ Podiums:2
Champ Poles:0

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]

Biography

Wilcox 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

Indianapolis 500 results

YearCarStartQualRankFinishLapsLedRetired
193266113.468922001Running
Totals2001
Starts1
Poles0
Front Row0
Wins0
Top 51
Top 101
Retired0

Notes and References

  1. "The Talk of Gasoline Alley" - May 22, 2011
  2. Reed, Terry. Indy: The Race and Ritual of the Indianapolis 500. Potomac Books 2005. page 31. .
  3. Bloemker, Al, 500 Miles to Go, The Story of the Indianapolis Speedway 1961. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  4. News: Veteran Howdy Wilcox Killed by Racing Car . 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 ... . . October 14, 1946 . 2012-10-02 .
  5. News: Race Car Kills Ex-Driver. Howard Wilcox Finished Second in 1932 Indianapolis Classic . . October 14, 1946 . 2012-10-02 .