Professional Race Car Driver. Bob Sweikert was a five-time veteran of the Indianapolis 500, winning the classic in 1955, an event marred by the death of Bill Vukovich, Sr., who was killed in a crash while leading and attempting to lap cars at the rear of the field. Besides the Indianapolis 500, he won the 1955 National Championship and the Midwest Sprint Car Championship, making him the only driver in history to sweep all three during a single racing season. Sweikert was also the AAA 1955 "big car" racing champion and finished 6th in the 1956 Indianapolis 500. He is considered one of several victims of the "Sports Illustrated Jinx." After appearing on the sports magazine cover in the May 26, 1956 issue, he was killed soon thereafter during a sprint car race at the Salem, Indiana Speedway. Born Robert Charles Schweikart, he changed his German surname during World War II to Sweikert. He joined the United States Army Air Corps in late 1944, but injured his knee in training and saw no action before the war ended. He married twice and had three young children by the time of his death.
Professional Race Car Driver. Bob Sweikert was a five-time veteran of the Indianapolis 500, winning the classic in 1955, an event marred by the death of Bill Vukovich, Sr., who was killed in a crash while leading and attempting to lap cars at the rear of the field. Besides the Indianapolis 500, he won the 1955 National Championship and the Midwest Sprint Car Championship, making him the only driver in history to sweep all three during a single racing season. Sweikert was also the AAA 1955 "big car" racing champion and finished 6th in the 1956 Indianapolis 500. He is considered one of several victims of the "Sports Illustrated Jinx." After appearing on the sports magazine cover in the May 26, 1956 issue, he was killed soon thereafter during a sprint car race at the Salem, Indiana Speedway. Born Robert Charles Schweikart, he changed his German surname during World War II to Sweikert. He joined the United States Army Air Corps in late 1944, but injured his knee in training and saw no action before the war ended. He married twice and had three young children by the time of his death.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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