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Jack Ensley

Jack Ensley, 1958. Copyright Robin McConnell Ensley, 2016. Used with Permission.

Jack Ensley, 1958. Copyright Robin McConnell Ensley, 2016. Used with Permission.

Born:

17 Oct 1906
Edinburgh, Indiana

Died:

13 Jan 1972
Indianapolis, Indiana

Nationality:

United States

Grands Prix:

0 (1958-1959)

Indy 500s:

0 (1958-1961)

Died of cancer, but he continued to race until just a year before his death. Owned a string of businesses, mainly in Indiana, but also in Arizona, which included golf centres, restaurants, gambling establishments, cocktail lounges and also ran a garage, which specialised in sportscars. In his younger days, he was also a proficient dancer, and one of his main dancing partners was Joan Crawford, the movie star. Ensley is also one of oldest ever debutants in the Indy 500's history, but it is for his sportscar prowess he'll be best remembered. Ensley was born in Indiana, but was based for a long time in California, where he moved to at the age of sixteen. Jack was quite tall for a racer, standing at 6 foot 1 inch.

Biography last updated 1 May 2016