Bill Vukovich Fatal Accident in the 1955 Indy 500

*Viewer discretion advised*

He was killed in a chain-reaction crash while holding a 17-second lead on the 57th lap of the 1955 Indianapolis 500.

Vukovich was exiting the second turn, trailing three slower cars — driven by Rodger Ward, Al Keller, and Johnny Boyd — when Ward's car swerved as the result of a strong gust of wind. Keller, swerving into the infield to avoid Ward, lost control and slid back onto the track, striking Boyd's car and pushing it into Vukovich's oncoming path. Vukovich's car struck Boyd's, became airborne, and landed upside down after going over the outside backstretch retaining wall, killing him.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Bill
• Vukovich
• Fatal
• Accident
• 1955
• Indy
• 500

[10glenn10]

I doubt this will make much difference, but can those users who insist on daily posting of inappropriate comments linking to inappropriate websites please refrain from doing this and show a bit of respect for a fallen hero?

Thank you.

[1more4theroad]

It is good to read all of your comments. I enjoyed the Indy with my father, who went pretty much every year from 1957 onward until his own passing. He told me of these great drivers, what a wonderful heritage this track has in all of its drivers! Oh how we cheered on Vuky III until the family curse struck and killed him at age 27.

[10glenn10]

I'm glad to hear you've enjoyed reading the comments - I have found it necessary to delete some inappropriate ones, but I'm glad of the respectful nature of most of these comments towards this brilliant man

[woodymcruk]

agreed i see this to often,immature people making innapropriate jokes or links ,

r.i.p all lost

[brtaylor20]

Not sure where you're coming from with that comment. The accident started with mechanical failure in Rodger Ward's car and Vuky was caught up in the chain reaction. He had to pick a direction to get around and picked the wrong one. Check the facts before posting.

Balls that clank? Brains that clank is more like it.

[TFritz82]

RIP Mad Russian.

[SerbianBld]

Hello everyone. I am Jordan Vuckovich. I don't know my exact relation to Billy, but everyone calls me Vucky to so that kinda struck me how that nickname started way way back.

[JettRink50]

I met his son Billy and he was very nice to me. But to lose your father and your son

to racing must have been too much for him. Apparently Mr. Vukovich was a very interesting character. I don't recall now if one of his winning cars is in the Indy Museum or not.

[Ssmlt3]

@TOXICMONKEYLOVE Well, they finally said it today during the qualifying rain delay. Bob Jenkins was asked what his favorite car was in the Indy museum, and he said it was Bob Sweikert's pink car.

[TOXICMONKEYLOVE]

SInce I was 13 years old, I've watched the Indy 500 (on TV) for 37 years and I have never heard them ever tell, who won the 1955 indy 500.. interesting how history goes down in the book. The reason I bring this up is that the winner happen to be my uncle, never met the man, he died before I was born.

[chumpychumpychump]

@10glenn10

Hero? I see no hero here– just foolhardy men driving too fast for no reason.

[altfactor]

Vukovich was looking to become the first driver ever to win three consecutive Indianapaolis "500"'s (he had won in 1953 and 1954).

Although I wan't born yet, I thought Vukovich was actually in the lead at the time of this crash.

[raichiotto]

1955 was not a good year for motor racing...

[penske369]

Am i correct in stating that Vuky did NOT hit the bridge? I had always heard he did and thats what killed him.

[16119890]

his real name was vaso vucurovic ;)