Professional Race Car Driver. Considered by many racing analysts to be the greatest Indianapolis 500 driver of all time. Winner of the 1953 and 1954 Indianapolis 500 races. With better luck, Vukovich would also have won at least the 1952 and 1955 Indianapolis classics as well. In 1952, Vukovich had a solid lead when his steering failed on the 192nd of 200 laps. Troy Ruttman, driving the "Agajanian Special," then took the victory. In 1955, after a ferocious duel with Jack McGrath during the first quarter of the race, Vukovich had an tremendous lead on the rest of the field after McGrath had to retire due to mechanical problems. Unfortunately, the same car that won the 1952 race as a beneficiary of Vukovich's misfortune, would again be involved in misfortune for him. Now known as the "Aristo Blue Special" and piloted by Rodger Ward, the car broke an axle, igniting a chain reaction accident that resulted in Vukovich's death as he tried to pass a pack of cars that were each a few laps behind.
Professional Race Car Driver. Considered by many racing analysts to be the greatest Indianapolis 500 driver of all time. Winner of the 1953 and 1954 Indianapolis 500 races. With better luck, Vukovich would also have won at least the 1952 and 1955 Indianapolis classics as well. In 1952, Vukovich had a solid lead when his steering failed on the 192nd of 200 laps. Troy Ruttman, driving the "Agajanian Special," then took the victory. In 1955, after a ferocious duel with Jack McGrath during the first quarter of the race, Vukovich had an tremendous lead on the rest of the field after McGrath had to retire due to mechanical problems. Unfortunately, the same car that won the 1952 race as a beneficiary of Vukovich's misfortune, would again be involved in misfortune for him. Now known as the "Aristo Blue Special" and piloted by Rodger Ward, the car broke an axle, igniting a chain reaction accident that resulted in Vukovich's death as he tried to pass a pack of cars that were each a few laps behind.
Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett
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