Killed in qualifying for the Indianapolis 500, when his car hit a bump on the Southwest turn, dying of his injuries later. An enthusiastic, hard-trying driver, he worked as his own chief mechanic. Metzle was of a Germanic background whose uncle Edwin Metzler appeared at Indianapolis as a riding mechanic for Deacon Litz and Russ Snowberger in 1936 and 1937. George then got involved in dirt track racing before serving in the US Army in World War Two in the Pacific, where he survived contracting malaria. Metzler then worked as a machinist for an electric plant to supplement his racing. George's sons and grandson also followed him in service to the US Army, the former two serving in Vietnam.

Biography last updated 14 Jan 2016