Gordon Johncock, Two-Time Indianapolis 500 Winner, Dies at 90
He was among the premier drivers in the Indy 500, competing in 24 races and finishing eight times in the top five.
Gordon Johncock, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and native of Hastings, Michigan, passed away on September 28 at the age of 90. Johncock claimed victory in the Indianapolis 500 twice, in 1973 and 1982, and also won the Michigan 500 at Michigan International Speedway in 1982. He held the title of IndyCar series national champion in 1976 after securing 25 wins that year.
Johncock started his racing career at local tracks in Michigan before joining the USAC and CART/IndyCar series in 1964. His memorable 1982 Indianapolis 500 win was notable for its tight closing-lap duel with Rick Mears, resulting in a record-breaking .16-second margin. In 1973, Johncock triumphed in the Indianapolis 500 despite starting 11th and leading 64 laps.
He also finished third in the 1976 and 1978 races, and fourth in 1966 and 1974. The 1977 Indianapolis 500 saw Johncock within 16 laps of eventual winner A.J. Foyt before his engine failure, marking his final appearance in the race in 1992 after retiring mid-lap due to engine trouble. Johncock made a total of 262 starts across 25 seasons in the IndyCar series, ranking fifth among drivers with 24 starts in the race.
After retiring, he focused on his timber business in South Branch and was inducted into both the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 1997 and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1999. Surviving Johncock are his wife, Sue, six children, 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
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