Bill Vukovich

Lore & Background

Vukovich was born in Alameda, near Oakland, California, the fifth of eight children. His parents emigrated from Serbia and Anglicized their surname from Vucurović to Vucurovich, later adopting the spelling Vukovich. He was christened Vaso, adopting the name William when entering public school. After his father's suicide in 1932, Vukovich became a family provider, working various jobs and eventually dropping out of school. He displayed an early interest in speed, racing a horse-drawn cart and a Ford Model T with his brothers. He began his driving career in 1936, winning his first main event in his fourth week of competition.

In Their Own Story

Forty-three cars lined up, engines screaming their supercharged howl into the spring sky. In the front row, a tall, lean figure in a white helmet sat perfectly still, eyes forward, hands loose on the wheel. The green flag dropped. The pack surged. And within three laps, Bill Vukovich was already on the white line, already gone, already a half-length ahead of the man in second. He would stay there. The crowd counted the laps the way other people count heartbeats. When he crossed the line, the silence before the roar was the loudest sound anyone in those grandstands had ever heard. He removed his helmet, looked out over the sea of faces, and said nothing. He didn't need to.

Reader's Guide

Vukovich drove midget cars for the Edelbrock dirt track racing team, winning the United Racing Association's 1945 and 1946 midget car championships, the 1948 Turkey Night Grand Prix, and the 1950 AAA National Midget championship. He was known for racing midgets powered by Drake engines. In the Indianapolis 500, he led 150 laps in 1952 before suffering steering failure on lap 192. He won the 1953 and 1954 Indianapolis 500s, and died while leading the 1955 race.

Did You Know?

• Vukovich is the only driver to lead the most laps in three consecutive Indianapolis 500s.
• He was born Vaso Vukovich and did not adopt the name William until entering public school.
• His father committed suicide two days before Vukovich's 14th birthday.
• Vukovich won the 1948 Turkey Night Grand Prix at Gilmore Stadium.