Willard Prentiss

American racing driver (1897–1959)
Willard Prentiss
BornWillard Cable Prentiss
(1897-12-10)December 10, 1897
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedOctober 1, 1959(1959-10-01) (aged 61)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Champ Car career
1 race run over 2 years
First race1933 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Wins Podiums Poles
0 0 0

Willard Cable Prentiss (December 10, 1897 – October 1, 1959) was an American racing driver. As well as competing in the 1933 Indianapolis 500, he competed in various races across the United States during the 1920s.

Racing career

In 1927, Prentiss competed in the Annual Fall Auto Races at Oakley, Kansas.[1] A win in the ten mile (16 km) race was followed up by second place in the 25-mile (40 km) race, despite having a flat tire for the last three laps.[1] He competed there again in 1928,[2] taking joint second place in the one mile (1.6 km) time trial and third place in the 15-mile (24 km) race.[2]

In 1930, Prentiss was leading a race at the Arizona State Fair, Phoenix, Arizona when his car went through a fence and he sustained serious injuries.[3]

1933 saw Prentiss racing in the Indianapolis 500, driving a Rigling-Duesenberg car owned by Jack Carr.[4] He finished on the lead lap in 13th place, and won $450 in prize money.[4] In 1934, he entered the Indianapolis 500 again. He practiced with two cars, but was not fast enough in qualification to be able to start the race.[5]

Motorsports career results

Indianapolis 500 results

Year[6] Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired
1933 49 40 107.776 41 13 200 0 Running
1934 59 DNQ
64 DNQ
Totals 200 0
Starts 1
Poles 0
Front Row 0
Wins 0
Top 5 0
Top 10 0
Retired 0

References

  1. ^ a b "Fall Speed Classic Auto Races at Oakley, Kansas on October 23, 1927". The History of Automobile Racing at Oakley, Kansas. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  2. ^ a b "Annual Fall Classic Auto Races, Oakley, KS, October 27, 1928". The History of Automobile Racing at Oakley, Kansas. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  3. ^ "Public Domain Films And Royalty Free Stock Footage". BuyOutFootage.com. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  4. ^ a b "1933 Official Box Score". Indy500.com. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  5. ^ "Willard Prentiss". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  6. ^ Willard Prentiss Indy 500 Race Stats