Gaston Chevrolet

Gaston Chevrolet (26 October 1892 – 25 November 1920) was a French-born American racecar champion driver and automobile manufacturer.

Early life

Born near Beaune, in the Côte-d'Or department of France where his Swiss parents had emigrated to a few years earlier, he was the younger brother of Louis (1878-1941, founder of the Chevrolet car company) and Arthur Chevrolet (1884-1946). After brother Louis emigrated to the United States and earned enough money, he sent for Gaston and Arthur to join him. Once there, Gaston worked as an automotive mechanic and joined his brother in auto racing.

Indy career

In 1916, Gaston Chevrolet became a partner with his brothers in the Frontenac Motor Corporation. Driving a Frontenac race car, he competed in the 1919 Indianapolis 500, finishing in tenth place while brother Louis finished seventh. The following year, Gaston Chevrolet broke the European dominance at the Indianapolis Speedway, winning the race in a redesigned Monroe-Frontenac. In the process, he became the first driver in the history of the 500-mile (800 km) race to go the distance without making a tire change. Following his victory at Indianapolis, he competed in several more events, winning a 100-mile (160 km) match race against Tommy Milton and Ralph Mulford.

Death

With the coming of winter, racing moved to the West Coast, and at the Beverly Hills Speedway board track in Beverly Hills, California, Gaston Chevrolet was killed when his racecar crashed on lap 146^[1].

Gaston Chevrolet is interred next to his brothers in the Roman Catholic Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indy 500 results

Awards

• He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2002.

References

External links

• Gaston Chevrolet at Find a Grave