The Indy 500 drivers — Where are they now?
by Richard Jenkins
| See also |
|---|
|
World Championship drivers Formula 3000 drivers Indy 500 drivers North American Racers World Championship team bosses |
I have endeavoured to try and provide as up-to-date and accurate information as possible for everyone featured on this site, and I am always indebted to the many contributors who help with the information on this site and sadly, space doesn't allow for me to thank everyone here. However, I would like to dedicate the ongoing work, progress and achievements on this site to those contributors who are sadly no longer with us but helped aide this project so much: Len Calinoff, Phil Harms, Gene Heeter, Earl Ma, Don Radbruch and Roscoe H Rann.
Updates and corrections are always welcomed — please either join the debate here or feel free to contact me on with any information you might have.
This part of the site is also dedicated to the memory of Tony Marsh, as it was his post-Grand Prix life that served as the initial inspiration for "Where Are They Now" back in 1998 For more about what this part of the site is trying to achieve, please read my full introduction.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
| Name | Born | Died | Nat | Indy 500s | Biography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ira Vail |
22 Nov 1893 Montreal, Canada |
21 Apr 1979 Daytona Beach, Florida |
USA |
7 (1919-1927) |
Later managed and promoted the AAA National Championship races at Syracuse for many years, hence a few roads in the area are now renamed in his memory. Also a noted motorcycle racer. |
| Charles van Acker |
14 Mar 1912 Brussels |
31 May 1998 South Bend, Indiana, USA |
B |
3 (1946-1950) |
Later became a mechanic after his successful driving career ended. Mainly based in the US, he built and later ran the speedway track in South Bend. |
| Leroy van Conett |
13 Apr 1935 Galt, California |
|
USA |
0 (1982) |
Sprint car legend, who carried on racing right into his 70's, but has now retired. Still keeps links with the sport. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Harold van Gorder |
02 Apr 1888 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
18 Jun 1934 Cheswick, Pennsylvania |
USA |
0 (1911) |
Eastern based racer, who raced in a variety of events. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Noel van Raalte |
22 Dec 1888 Paddington, London |
05 May 1940 Kensington, London |
GB |
1 (1915) |
British Peer who mainly drove Bentley's, indeed he was the owner of the first Bentley ever made. His family owned Brownsea Island during Noel's racing days and the family's wealth allowed Noel to indulge in his passion for fast cars. First name was Marcus. Died after a long fight against illness. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Cornelius van Ranst |
07 Dec 1892 New York City, New York |
11 Oct 1972 Detroit, Michigan |
USA |
3 (1921-1927) |
Primarily known as an engineer, who's lasting legacy was a front drive system for the Cord motor car and engine building for race cars. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Johnny Vance Sr. |
05 Oct 1896 Dayton, Ohio |
09 Sep 1963 Dayton, Ohio |
USA |
0 (1929) |
Businessman and bar owner, who also was a car builder and team owner. Father of USAC stalwart Johnny Jr. Sadly committed suicide after suffering from terminal illness, borrowing a gun from an employee at the Dayton Speedway to kill himself. Also raced motorcycles. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Achille Varzi |
08 Aug 1904 Galliante, nr. Milan |
30 Jun 1948 Bremgarten, Switzerland |
I |
0 (1946) |
Italian racing ace, who surely would've been one of the top drivers in the 1950's but for his untimely death in practice for the Swiss GP of 1948. |
| Jimmy Vasser |
20 Nov 1965 Canoga Park, California |
|
USA |
8 (1992-2003) |
1996 CART Champion, now retired after years in the category. Runs a successful Toyota and Chevrolet dealership in California, is a driver coach, team owner, and also has commercial property interests in Nevada, and runs a vineyard. He does still race in special events, including Grand-Am. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Bob Veith |
01 Nov 1924 Tulare, California |
29 Mar 2006 Santa Rosa, California |
USA |
11 (1956-1970) |
Died recently. Before the onset of ill-health, Veith went round America giving road safety talks. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Fermin Velez |
03 Apr 1959 Barcelona |
31 Mar 2003 Barcelona |
E |
2 (1996-1997) |
Sadly died recently after a long battle against cancer. Between his F3000 spell and his illness, Fermin raced for many years in endurance racing, twice winning the Sebring 12 hours. |
| Dean Vetrock |
05 Nov 1954 Racine, Wisconsin |
|
USA |
0 (1982) |
Now lives in Florida, but has no links with the sport anymore. Mostly in Can-Am, where he did well, his CART efforts were a disaster for varying reasons. |
| Jacques Villeneuve |
09 Apr 1971 Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Chambly, Quebec |
|
CDN |
2 (1994-1995) |
Dropped by the BAR team in 2003, Villeneuve took a long sabbatical in 2004, but returned to F1, first via Renault, then, permamently, with Sauber, in 2005. Stayed with them, in their new guise as BMW, in 2006, but he was again dropped, and left F1. After spending time with his family and appearing in Le Mans, Asian Speedcars, NASCAR and the Craftsmen Truck Series, Jacques is currently without a drive, although he has had a few attempts in sportscars. He is also has his music and restaurant business interests and runs a driving academy in Quebec. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Jacques Villeneuve Sr. |
04 Nov 1953 Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Chambly, Quebec |
|
CDN |
1 (1984-1986) |
Raced on until 1993. For the past 9 years has successfully been racing snowmobiles, but in 2008, he was badly injured in a snowmobiling accident, which saw him break his pelvis and rule him out of racing for a year. However, he recovered and returned to racing, only to be injured in another crash in 2009. That wasn't so bad injury wise and he is still racing in snow racing events. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Luigi Villoresi |
16 May 1909 Milan |
24 Aug 1997 Modena |
I |
1 (1946) |
Great man and driver, sadly ill and financially bereft in his final years. Despite this, he tried to play an active part in historic meetings, right up to the mid '90's. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Ernesto Viso |
19 Mar 1985 Caracas |
|
YV |
3 (2008-2010) |
F3 starlet, who moved to GP2. Also acted as a test driver for the Spyker F1 team. In 2008, he moved to the IRL and stays there in 2010. Also races as 'EJ Viso'. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Dennis Vitolo |
18 Dec 1956 Massapequa, New York |
|
USA |
2 (1994-1997) |
Raced in Champ Cars until 1999, but best remembered for a bizarre accident in the 1994 Indy 500, when he crashed into Nigel Mansell in the pit-lane. Now runs Performance Promotions in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a sports marketing and promotions company. |
| Rich Vogler |
26 Jul 1950 Chicago, Illinois |
21 Jul 1990 Salem, Indiana |
USA |
5 (1980-1990) |
Died after crashing, on the last lap, whilst leading a USAC sprint car race. Excellent sprint and midget driver, he was the first man to take both national titles in the same year. |
| Bill Vukovich |
13 Dec 1918 Alameda, California |
30 May 1955 Indianapolis, Indiana |
USA |
5 (1950-1955) |
Killed in the 1955 Indy 500, whilst on course for his 3rd successive win. His son and grandson have followed him into racing. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Bill Vukovich II |
29 Mar 1944 Riverside, California |
|
USA |
12 (1968-1983) |
Son of the late Bill and father of the late Billy. Now lives in Indiana and has a few business interests. Raced recently in the 'Heroes of Indy' race, but otherwise, his racing links are confined to memorial functions for his father and son, though he does appear often at historics, despite recent health problems. (Last updated 24 Jan 2010) |
| Billy Vukovich III |
31 Aug 1963 Fresno, California |
25 Nov 1990 Bakersfield, California |
USA |
3 (1988-1990) |
Son and grandson of his famous family namesakes. Died after a sprint-car crash at Mesa Marin raceway. |
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