Bob Harkey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bob Harkey
Harkey at the 2014 Indianapolis 500
Born	(1930-06-23)23 June 1930 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Died	16 January 2016(2016-01-16) (aged 85) Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Bob Harkey (June 23, 1930 – January 16, 2016) was an American race car driver. He was from Charlotte, North Carolina. Bob competed in the USAC Championship Car series. This was a top racing series in the United States.

He raced from 1963 to 1979. Bob started in 85 races during his career. This included the famous Indianapolis 500 race several times. He finished in the top ten 23 times. His best finish was 4th place in a race in Trenton in 1964.

Bob Harkey's Racing Career

Bob Harkey also made one start in NASCAR. This was a big race at the new Daytona International Speedway. He drove a Chevrolet car for Buck Baker. Bob finished 10th in the 1959 NASCAR Convertible Division race. This race supported the very first Daytona 500. He had planned to race in the Daytona 500 too, but he did not.

Early Experiences with Speed

Bob Harkey learned about speed in a unique way. He drove a special car used to help transport goods secretly. This helped him become a skilled driver.

He later became a professional stunt driver for movies. You might have seen his driving in films like Thunder Road, Speedway, and Winning.

Beyond Driving: Flying and Boxing

Bob Harkey was not just a driver. He was also a talented stunt pilot. He even performed as a wing walker. This means he walked on the wings of a flying airplane!

He owned two special planes: a Stearman and an AT-6. He used these planes to teach other race car drivers how to fly. One of his students was the famous driver Johnny Rutherford.

Bob Harkey also trained as a boxer. He once fought Floyd Patterson in the Golden Gloves competition. Floyd Patterson later became a world heavyweight boxing champion.

For many years, Bob worked with Champion Spark Plugs. He helped with their safety program.

Bob Harkey passed away in Indianapolis on January 16, 2016. He was 85 years old.

Indianapolis 500 Results

Bob Harkey competed in the Indianapolis 500 several times. Here are his results:

• In 1975, another driver named Salt Walther took over for Bob Harkey for part of the race.