Howdy Wilcox

Howard Samuel Wilcox (June 24, 1889 – September 4, 1923) was an American racecar driver active in the formative years of auto racing. He won the 1919 Indianapolis 500.

Not to be confused with Howdy Wilcox II.
Howard Samuel Wilcox
Wilcox circa 1919
Born(1889-06-24)June 24, 1889
Crawfordsville, Indiana, United States
DiedSeptember 4, 1923(1923-09-04) (aged 34)
Tyrone, Pennsylvania, United States
Cause of deathCar crash
NationalityAmerican
Other namesHowdy Wilcox I

Formative years and family

Wilcox was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on June 24, 1889. He was preceded in death by his wife, who died in 1918. Wilcox's son, Howard Jr., founded the Little 500 bicycle race, which has been held at Indiana University annually since 1951.[1]

Career

In 1911, Wilcox set the world beach racing speed record of 89.23 mph. In 1919, he won the 1919 Indianapolis 500, leading the last 98 laps of the race after starting in the 2nd position.

Death and interment

Wilcox died on September 4, 1923, at Altoona Speedway board track in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, in a car crash. He was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.[2]

Indy 500 results

References
  1. Obituary of Howard Wilcox Jr., Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers.
  2. "Indianapolis Auto greats" (PDF). Celebrating Automotive Heritage at Crown Hill Cemetery. Crown Hill Cemetery. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2012-09-10.
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