George Robson (racing driver)

Robson began his racing career in the Los Angeles region during the mid-1930s. He made his debut at the Championship/Indy car level during the 1938 season, competing at the Syracuse Mile. Earlier that year, he had also competed in a non-championship points event held at the Milwaukee Mile.[2]

In 1939, Robson drove relief in the Indianapolis 500, after failing to qualify for the race, but securing the position of first alternate, he took over for Harry McQuinn on the 77th lap, eventually dropping out on lap 110 with mechanical issues. Robson would go on to qualify for the following two Indianapolis 500s, finishing 23rd in 1940, and 25th in 1941.[2]

Robson's most notable result before the onset of the Second World War halted racing in the United States was a second-place finish in the Syracuse 100 in 1940.[2] Before the conflict he worked as a machinist in Los Angeles.

Robson's winning car from the 1946 Indianapolis 500

Robson was the winner of the 1946 Indianapolis 500, the first edition following the war.[3] He made the field on the fourth day of qualifying, with the fifth fastest time overall. Starting the race from 15th position, Robson steadily made his way though the field. Robson took the lead for the first time on lap 56, and aside from making pit stops, held it for the remainder of the race.

Robson's closest competitor during the latter half of the race was rookie Jimmy Jackson. Jackson lost time earlier in the race, forced to pit after his windshield was damaged by debris from Hal Robson - the younger brother of George, and like Jackson, a rookie - broke an engine rod.[4] George Robson took the lead for good on lap 93. The race saw heavy attrition, and Robson ran much of the second half of the race at a measured pace.

Robson finished more than 44 seconds ahead of Jackson, and lead 138 laps of the 200 lap event. After the event there was a minor controversy, as Robson was accused of not following the rules by choosing to remain within his car during pit stops. A protest was filed, but overruled, and Robson was declared the official winner of the race.[5] His victory was the first for a 6-cylinder car since Ray Harroun won the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911.

The anomalous 1946 season featured more than 70 races, only six of which were run to "championship car" specifications of more than 100 miles' length. AAA officials, fearing small car counts after more than four years without racing, looked to boost entry numbers by including 71 races run to "big car" specifications. These races were run at distances shorter than 100 miles.[6] Robson performed strongly after his surprise '500' victory, including finishing second to Rex Mays in the Langhorne 100, the second race of the season held to "championship car" specifications.[7] Heading into the second-half of the season Robson had won six races in total, and was running second in the points standings.[2]

• 1946 table only includes results of the six races run to "championship car" specifications. Points total includes the 71 races run to "big car" specifications.[9][6]