Stubby Stubblefield

Wilburn Hartwell Stubblefield[1][2] (later changed[2] to Hartwell Wilburn Stubblefield; 1907 – May 21, 1935), nicknamed "Stubby", was an American racecar driver. He was killed in a practice crash for the 1935 Indianapolis 500. He is buried at Angeles Abbey Cemetery, Compton, California.

Stubblefield and mechanic Oito Wolfer at the 1932 Indianapolis 500

Some sources give his birthdate as December 28, 1909, but most sources say 1907 with no month or day specified. Furthermore, a newspaper article states that he was 27 years old at the time of his death,[3] which implies a birthdate between May 22, 1907 and May 21, 1908. At the time of his death, his home was in Los Angeles.[3] Some sources say that he was born in Los Angeles, but most say that he was born in Oklahoma. The 1910 United States Census lists him as being the age of two when his family was recorded on April 25, 1910, and living in Oklahoma City.[4]

Stubblefield was the first driver ever killed during a qualification attempt at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when he and Leo Whitaker (his riding mechanic) struck a wall on a time trial run; both were killed.[5] At the time of the crash, their speed was about 116 miles per hour.[3]

Career award

Indianapolis 500 results

References
  1. Thompson Speedway photograph album, Thompson, Connecticut, and material related to automobile racing. OCLC 802854093. Retrieved 2016-04-07 – via WorldCat. Photographs depict automobile races and accidents, as well as portraits of drivers and the photographers who documented the races. Identified drivers include ..., and Wilburn Hartwell 'Stubby' Stubblefield.
  2. "W. H. 'Stubby' Stubblefield". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 2016-03-28. W.H. stands for Wilburn Hartwell, although it appears he swapped the names around, because he was buried as Hartwell W. Stubblefield
  3. "Two Auto Race Drivers and One Mechanic Die in Speedway Crashes". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. May 22, 1935. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  4. 13th Census of the United States, United States census, 1910; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; page 2701, line 18, enumeration district 0023. Retrieved on 2020-06-07.
  5. "W.H. 'Stubby' Stubblefield" (PDF). National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  6. Stubby Stubblefield Indy 500 Race Stats
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