Gordon Smiley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gordon Smiley
Nationality	American
Born	Gordon Eugene Smiley (1946-04-20)April 20, 1946 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Died	May 15, 1982(1982-05-15) (aged 36) Speedway, Indiana, U.S.
Champ Car career
3 (2 starts) races
Years active	1980–1982
Team(s)	Valvoline, Intermedics
First race	1980 Indianapolis 500
Last race	1982 Indianapolis 500

Gordon Eugene Smiley (born April 20, 1946 – died May 15, 1982) was an American race car driver. He was known for his skills in road racing before he started competing in the famous Indianapolis 500 race. Gordon was honored in the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2000.

Gordon Smiley's Racing Start

Gordon Smiley began his racing journey at age 19. He was a very talented road racer. Road racing happens on tracks with turns, not just straight lines.

He raced in many different series. These included SCCA Formula Ford, Formula Atlantic, and Formula 5000. He won races in each of these series. Gordon also set 25 track records during his career. He won the SCCA Midwest Divisional Championship four times.

Racing in Formula One

In 1979, Gordon raced in the British Formula One Championship. This was a big step for him. He competed for the Surtees Team.

He finished in the top 10 in eight out of 11 races. He even won a race at Silverstone, England, in 1979. This was the last time an American driver won an official FIA (International Automobile Federation) event. He also raced in a special F1 race called the 1979 Race of Champions. He finished 10th in that race.

Indy 500 Career

Gordon Smiley raced in the famous Indianapolis 500 race twice. He competed in 1980 and 1981. The Indy 500 is one of the biggest races in the world.

He was trying to qualify for his third Indy 500 race in 1982. He was part of the Fletcher Racing Team at that time.

His First Indy Races

In the 1980 Indianapolis 500, Gordon started in 20th place. His car had a problem with its turbocharger (a part that makes the engine more powerful). This happened on lap 47. Because of this, he had to stop racing and finished 25th.

In the 1981 Indianapolis 500, Gordon started in 8th place. He even led the race for one lap! However, he crashed on lap 141. He finished 22nd in that race. His crash was part of a very talked-about finish between his teammate Mario Andretti and Bobby Unser.

After the 1981 racing season, Gordon left Patrick Racing. He then joined Fletcher Racing, which was connected to his old team.

Gordon Smiley's Tragic Accident

In 1982, drivers were setting very fast speeds during qualifying for the 1982 Indianapolis 500. Qualifying is when drivers try to set their fastest lap times to earn a spot in the race. Both Kevin Cogan and Rick Mears set new speed records.

About an hour later, Gordon Smiley went out to make his qualifying attempt. On his second warm-up lap, his car started to slide a little. This is called oversteer. When he tried to correct the slide, his car suddenly turned sharply. It crashed into the wall head-first at nearly 200 miles per hour (320 km/h).

Sadly, Gordon died instantly from the severe impact. This tragic event was the first fatal accident at Indy since 1973. It was also the last time a driver died during qualifying at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gordon's funeral was held on May 20, 1982. He was buried in his hometown in Nebraska.

Racing Record

SCCA National Championship Runoffs

Indianapolis 500 Results

See also

In Spanish: Gordon Smiley para niños

• List of fatalities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway