Floyd Roberts (February 12, 1904 - May 30, 1939) is a former Championship Car racing driver from Jamestown, North Dakota. He won the Indianapolis 500 in 1938 with a record speed of 117.2 mph (188.6 km/h). He led for 92 laps. The following year, 1939, driving the same car, he was killed in a crash on the backstretch after hitting a wooden fence at near 100 mph (160 km/h). Roberts was the first former winner and defending champion of the race to have been killed while competing. According to reports, Roberts intended to retire following the race.[1]
The Crash
With Roberts on lap 109, the car driven by Bob Swanson lost control and went sideways. Roberts' car contacted Swanson's, causing Swanson's car to flip over and catch fire ejecting Swanson, and Roberts' car went through the outer wall and went headfirst into a tree. Chet Miller's car went into the debris field, flipped, and went into the inner wall. Two spectators were also injured by flying debris. The three drivers were taken to hospitals, while it took over 30 minutes to clear the burning wreck of Swanson's car from the track. Roberts' death due to brain injuries was announced before the race was completed.[2]
Indy 500 results
| Year |
Car |
Start |
Qual |
Rank |
Finish |
Laps |
Led |
Retired |
| 1935 |
22 |
3 |
118.671 |
3 |
4 |
200 |
0 |
Running |
| 1936 |
4 |
15 |
112.403 |
29 |
19 |
183 |
0 |
Out of gas |
| 1937 |
62 |
17 |
116.996 |
30 |
13 |
194 |
0 |
Flagged |
| 1938 |
23 |
1 |
125.681 |
2 |
1 |
200 |
92 |
Running |
| 1939 |
1 |
23 |
128.968 |
5 |
23 |
106 |
0 |
Crash BS |
| Totals |
883 |
92 |
|
|
| Starts |
5 |
| Poles |
1 |
| Front Row |
2 |
| Wins |
1 |
| Top 5 |
2 |
| Top 10 |
2 |
| Retired |
2 |
|
See also
References
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