Floyd Roberts facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Floyd Roberts
Roberts, circa 1934
Born	Floyd Marion Roberts (1900-02-12)February 12, 1900 Jamestown, North Dakota, U.S.
Died	May 30, 1939(1939-05-30) (aged 39) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Championship titles
AAA Championship Car (1938) Major victories Indianapolis 500 (1938)
Champ Car career
8 races run over 5 years
Best finish	1st (1938)
First race	1935 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Last race	1939 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
First win	1938 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Wins Podiums Poles 1 3 2

Floyd Marion Roberts (born February 12, 1900 – died May 30, 1939) was a famous American race car driver. He won the 1938 Indianapolis 500 race in 1938. He set a new speed record of about 117 miles per hour (188 km/h). He led the race for 92 laps. Sadly, the next year, in 1939, he died in a crash while racing the same car. He was the first champion of the Indianapolis 500 to die during the race.

Early Life and Family

Floyd Roberts was born on February 12, 1900. His hometown was Jamestown, North Dakota. His parents were Frederick Augustus Roberts and Ruby Lenore Roberts. Around 1920, Floyd moved to California. He married Miss Edna Vincent on September 18, 1925.

Racing Career Highlights

Starting His Racing Journey

Floyd Roberts began his racing career early. By 1924, he was already known in the world of auto racing. He competed at the Ascot Speedway in California. He also took part in several races in Hawaii.

Winning the 1938 Indianapolis 500

In 1938, Roberts entered the famous Indianapolis 500 race. He drove a car called the Burd Piston Ring Special. This car was owned by Lou Moore. Roberts started the race from the very front, a position called the pole. He set a new qualifying speed record of 125.681 miles per hour. Before this race, he had not won a major championship. He believed his luck was changing and that he would win.

During the race, Roberts and another driver, Wilbur Shaw, fell behind. They were driving cars that used gasoline. Other cars, using alcohol fuel, were faster at first. But the alcohol-fueled cars had to stop for fuel more often. This allowed Roberts to take the lead. He made only one pit stop for gas and a tire change. This was around the 300-mile mark. He briefly lost the lead to Jimmy Snyder.

About 75 miles later, Snyder had to pit again for more fuel. Roberts then pulled ahead of Shaw. He took back the lead and held it until the end. He finished the race with a record average speed of over 117 miles per hour. Roberts won over $32,000 in prize money. His car owner, Lou Moore, hoped Floyd would keep racing. However, Roberts had always wanted to retire to a farm once he had enough money.

Tragic Accident and Death

At the 1939 Indianapolis 500, Roberts was racing on lap 106. Another car, driven by Bob Swanson, lost control. Swanson's car spun sideways. Roberts' car hit Swanson's car. This caused Swanson's car to flip over and catch fire. Swanson was thrown from his car.

Roberts' car went over the outer wall of the track. It crashed through a fence at about 100 miles per hour. His car then hit a tree head-first. Another driver, Chet Miller, tried to avoid the crash. He swerved into the debris. His car flipped and hit the inner wall. Two people watching the race were also hurt by flying pieces of the cars.

All three drivers were taken to the hospital. It took more than 30 minutes to clear Swanson's burning car from the track. Floyd Roberts died at Methodist Hospital. He had a broken neck and other serious injuries. His death was announced before the race ended. Reports said that Roberts had planned to retire from racing after this race.

Awards and Recognition

Floyd Roberts has been honored for his racing achievements. He has been inducted into important halls of fame:

• Auto Racing Hall of Fame (1985)

Images for kids

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  Roberts, circa 1934