Bob Sweikert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bob Sweikert |
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| Born | Robert Charles Schweikart May 20, 1926 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Died | June 17, 1956 (aged 30) Salem, Indiana, U.S. |
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| Championship titles | |||||||
| AAA Midwest Big Car (1955) AAA Championship Car (1955) Major victories Indianapolis 500 (1955) |
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| Champ Car career | |||||||
| 36 races run over 7 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 1st (1955) | ||||||
| First race | 1952 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis) | ||||||
| Last race | 1956 Rex Mays Classic (Milwaukee) | ||||||
| First win | 1953 Hoosier Hundred (ISF) | ||||||
| Last win | 1955 Syracuse 100 (Syracuse) | ||||||
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| Formula One World Championship career | |||||||
| Active years | 1950 – 1956 | ||||||
| Teams | Wetteroth, Kurtis Kraft, Ewing, Kuzma | ||||||
| Entries | 7 (5 starts) | ||||||
| Championships | 0 | ||||||
| Wins | 1 | ||||||
| Podiums | 1 | ||||||
| Career points | 8 | ||||||
| Pole positions | 0 | ||||||
| Fastest laps | 0 | ||||||
| First entry | 1950 Indianapolis 500 | ||||||
| First win | 1955 Indianapolis 500 | ||||||
| Last win | 1955 Indianapolis 500 | ||||||
| Last entry | 1956 Indianapolis 500 | ||||||
Robert Charles "Bob" Sweikert (born May 20, 1926 – died June 17, 1956) was an amazing American race car driver. He is famous for winning the Indianapolis 500 race in 1955. That same year, he also won two other big championships: the National Championship and the Midwest Sprint car championship. He's the only driver ever to win all three in one racing season!
Contents
Bob's Early Life
Bob Sweikert, whose birth name was Robert Charles Schweikart, grew up in Los Angeles, California. His family changed his last name to Sweikert. This was to avoid problems because his original name sounded German during World War II. When Bob was a baby, his mother married his stepfather. Bob also had an older stepbrother, Ed, who sadly passed away in 1942.
In 1942, Bob's family moved to Hayward, California. There, in high school, Bob met Dorie, who would later become his wife.
Becoming a Mechanic
From age 16, Bob worked as a mechanic at a Ford dealership after school. He was a very talented mechanic. He often won street races in his area. One of his rivals in these street races was Ed Elisian. Years later, they would race against each other in the event where Bob had his final crash.
In 1944, Bob joined the US Army Air Force. He hurt his knee during training and was honorably discharged in 1945.
In 1947, Bob opened his own car repair shop called Sweikert Automotive. He worked out of his parents' garage. He built his own race car there. On May 26, 1947, Bob raced for the first time at the Oakland Speedway and finished second.
Bob then decided to become a full-time race car driver. He got his first sponsor in July 1947.
Family Life
In 1948, Bob married his first wife, Marion Edwards. They had a big wedding. That same year, Bob started racing midget cars. He won his first training race with the Bay Cities Racing Association. He raced 72 times that season.
Later, his first marriage ended. In January 1953, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Dorie. They moved to Indiana to be closer to the famous Indianapolis Speedway. Bob hoped to race and win there.
Bob's Racing Career
In 1949, Bob Sweikert won his first indoor midget race championship in Oakland. He then started driving Sprint cars in California.
Bob became good friends with fellow racer Johnny Boyd. They often raced together. Bob even helped Johnny Boyd get into the 1955 Indianapolis 500 race.
Indianapolis 500 Debut
In May 1952, Bob raced in his first Indianapolis 500. He started in 32nd place. He raced for 77 laps.
On September 12, 1953, Bob made history. He was the first driver to go faster than 100 miles per hour on a one-mile oval track. This happened at the Eastern Speed Dome in Syracuse, New York.
A few weeks later, on September 26, 1953, Bob won the Hoosier Hundred race. Many people call this "the greatest race ever."
On September 11, 1954, Bob set another record. He was the first driver to average over 90 miles per hour in a 100-mile race. He won this race at the Eastern Speed Dome in Syracuse.
The Big Win
On May 30, 1955, Bob Sweikert won the famous Indianapolis 500! He started in 14th place. His winning car, the Zink Kurtis roadster #6, is now in the museum at the Indianapolis racetrack.
In September 1955, Bob achieved something no other driver has done. He won the Indianapolis 500, the AAA National Championship, and the Midwest sprint car championship all in the same year!
In May 1956, Bob returned to the Indianapolis 500 for the last time. He finished in 6th place.
Formula One Connection
From 1950 to 1960, the Indianapolis 500 race was also part of the FIA World Drivers' Championship. This means that drivers who raced at Indianapolis during those years also earned points for Formula One.
Bob Sweikert raced in five World Drivers' Championship races at Indianapolis. He won one of them and earned eight points.
A Sad Day
Sadly, Bob Sweikert passed away in a racing accident on June 17, 1956. This happened at Salem Speedway during a sprint car race. He was racing close to the wall when his car hit a steel beam. His car flew off the track and caught fire. Bob was taken to the hospital but did not survive.
He is buried at Lone Tree Cemetery in Fairview, California.
Awards and Honors
Bob Sweikert was a very respected driver. He has been honored by being included in several Halls of Fame:
- Hoosier Auto Racing Fan Club Hall of Fame (1956)
- Motoring Press Association Hall of Fame (1993)
- Auto Racing Hall of Fame (1994)
- National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (1995)
- Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (2016)
- West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame (2019)
