WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Back to the Brickyard: Bill Vukovich

Episode Date: October 31, 2024

A look at the short but dominant career of one of Indy’s greatest drivers.

Welcome to Back to the Brickyard, your spot for Indianapolis 500 History here at Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM. I'm Christian Papillon. Bill Vukovic had one of the most dominant but also one of the shortest driving careers at Indianapolis. He came to the Speedway as a rookie in 1951, driving an uncompetitive car he started 16th and pushed it all the way into the top 10 before breaking down on lap 29. Vukovic's driving performance caught the attention of mechanics Jim Travers and Frank Kuhn, who signed with a the Howard Keck Racing team for the next season. In 1952, Vukovic dominated. He started eighth and was in the lead by lap 7. He led 150 laps total, but crashed on lap 192 when his steering arm broke. Vukovic returned to the speedway with a vengeance in 1953. He won the pole and led 195 laps, only losing

the lead during his first pit stop, winning by three laps over Art Cross. In a 500 that had record heat, only Vukovic and Cross completed the race without relief drivers. Vukovic won again in 1954, but not quite as easily. He started 19th, but made it to the front by lap 61, leading 90 laps total, and winning the race by one lap over Jimmy Bryan. In 1955, Vukovic, with a new team, started fifth and battled Jack McGrath for the lead before pulling away on lap 27. 30 laps later, Vukovic would tragically lose his life in a multi-car crash after Roger Ward

broken axle and spun out into the path of an oncoming Vukovic. Although he only raced in 5 Indy 500s, Vukovic's ninth all time in lap sled at the track with 485. He also holds the record for the highest percentage of lap sled, leading nearly 72% of all laps completed. You have been listening to Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM. I'm Christian Papiol, and I'll catch you the next time we go back to the brickyard.