Ted Horn facts for kids

Eylard Theodore Horn (born February 27, 1910 – died October 10, 1948) was a famous American racing driver. Many people thought he was one of the best racers of his time. He made history by being the first person to win the AAA National Championship three times in a row. He achieved these wins in 1946, 1947, and 1948.

Early Life and Racing Start

Ted Horn was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. His family moved around a lot when he was a kid. They finally settled down in Los Angeles. When he was 15, he started working at the Los Angeles Times newspaper.

One day, on his way to work, Ted was stopped by a policeman for speeding. He tried to get out of trouble, but the officer had an unusual idea. The policeman told Ted to go to a race track called San Jose Speedway. There were often more race cars than drivers there. Ted had to find a car owner who would let him drive. Once he had gotten all the speed "out of his system," he could pick up his car. Ted followed the officer's advice. He did go back for his car, but he also found a new love for auto racing. He never really got the speed "out of his system."

When Ted started his racing career at Legion Ascot Speedway in California, he had a lot to learn. He was often the slowest driver. Other drivers eventually gave him tips to improve his lap times. This helped him develop his own driving style. He had a bad racing accident that broke his foot and burned his back. He had to rest for several weeks. His parents wanted him to stop racing. He promised he would, but after three years, he started racing again.

Ted kept getting better at racing. He finished a close second in a race against Indianapolis 500 winner Louis Meyer. Meyer was impressed with young Ted Horn. Ted then felt he needed to race in the mid-western and eastern United States. There were more race tracks and chances for a young driver there.

Championship Car Career

In 1934, Ted got ready for the Indianapolis 500 race. He practiced in a car called the Mick Special. But he didn't feel comfortable driving it. So, he decided not to try and qualify with that car. That summer, he raced a sprint car a lot in the east and midwest. He did well enough to get the attention of Harry Miller.

Preston Tucker was working with Miller and the Ford Motor Company for the 1935 Indianapolis 500. Miller asked Ted to drive one of their new Miller Ford V8 cars. Ted accepted and made it into the 1935 Indianapolis 500 race. Sadly, the car had a problem with its steering. It became impossible to steer. He had to stop racing after 145 laps. Most of that time was spent trying to control the car.

After his first Indianapolis 500, Ted felt he hadn't done well. But former driver and car owner Harry Hartz disagreed. He thought Ted drove very well despite the problems. Hartz was so impressed that he offered Ted a chance to drive his car in the 1936 Indianapolis 500. Ted was happy to accept. Hartz had always finished well in his own Indianapolis 500 races. He took Ted under his wing and taught him a lot.

The team of Hartz and Horn was very strong right away. Ted finished second in his first race with Hartz. He raced two more Indianapolis 500s with Hartz's car. He finished third and fourth in those races.

The car Horn drove to a second place finish in the 1936 Indianapolis 500 - later repainted to look as it did when Fred Frame drove the vehicle to victory in the 1932 event

Ted kept racing with good results through the 1930s. He earned second, third, and fourth places at the Indianapolis 500. He also placed well in the overall championship standings.

He tried to join the military for World War II. But he was not accepted because of his past racing injuries. After the war ended, racing started again in 1945. Ted won all seven races he entered that year. He continued to be very successful in the next three years. He won the National Championship in 1946, 1947, and 1948. This was the first time anyone had won it three times in a row. He never won the Indianapolis 500 itself. However, he had an amazing record of nine straight top-four finishes there. He also started from the very front, on the pole position, in 1947.

Death

On October 10, 1948, Ted Horn was racing in Du Quoin, Illinois. He was in a serious accident during the second lap of the race. He was taken to the hospital, but he died a short time later. He was 38 years old. The AAA Championship Car race (now called the USAC Silver Crown) is known as the Ted Horn 100. This race is held in his memory.

Awards and Honors

Ted Horn has been honored by being included in several halls of fame:

• Auto Racing Hall of Fame (1964)
• Eastern Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame (1987)
• National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (1991)
• Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1993)

Racing Facts

• Ted Horn has the best 10-year streak of finishes in Indianapolis 500 history.
• In his Indianapolis 500 career, he completed 1944 out of a possible 2000 laps. That's 97% of the laps!
• Even though Ted started the 1947 race from the pole position (the very front), his qualifying speed was the third fastest. Bill Holland and Duke Nalon were faster.
• Ted Horn qualified for the famous 100 mph Club a record eight times. This club is for drivers who qualify for the Indianapolis 500 at speeds over 100 miles per hour.