Gordon Johncock, Two-Time Indy 500 Champion, Dies at 90

Key points

• Gordon Johncock passed away on September 28 in South Branch, Michigan, at the age of 90.
• He won the Indianapolis 500 twice, in 1973 and 1982, both times driving for Patrick Racing.
• The 1982 race featured a record-setting margin of .16 seconds against Rick Mears, described by broadcaster Jim McKay as unprecedented.
• Johncock was the 1976 INDYCAR SERIES national champion and accumulated 25 race wins and 20 pole positions in his career.
• After retiring from racing, he managed a timber business and rarely attended the Indianapolis 500, describing racing as a past job.

Background

Johncock’s career spanned 25 seasons with 262 starts in the INDYCAR SERIES. He was one of the last drivers to compete in both front-engine and rear-engine Indy cars. His 1973 victory occurred after rain ended the race early, following severe accidents involving his teammate Swede Savage and crew member Armando Teran. He was inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 1997 and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1999. His archive record notes 261 starts, while the primary source confirms 262, reflecting minor discrepancies in historical logging.

Why it matters

Johncock’s death marks the end of an era for open-wheel racing, as he was among the final drivers to experience the transition from front-engine to rear-engine Indy cars. His 1982 victory remains a benchmark for close finishes in the Indianapolis 500, and his career highlights the versatility and resilience required in mid-20th-century motorsport. His quiet retirement life contrasts with his high-profile racing achievements, illustrating the personal choices of legendary athletes.

What to watch

No immediate follow-up events are specified, but tributes may be paid at future Indianapolis 500 events or motorsport halls of fame. His family, including wife Sue and five children, will continue to hold his legacy as a pivotal figure in American racing history.