George Lynch (race car driver)
Encyclopedia
George John Lynch, Sr. was an American race car
driver.
George John Lynch was born in Miles City, Montana
to John James Lynch and Violet Parks. Enduring a rough childhood that saw his parents divorce, he was reared by his mother's grandparents in Nekoosa, Wisconsin
, where Mr. Lynch bought a used open-wheel race car for $100 and began racing, even before obtaining his civilian driver's license.
Mr. Lynch's racing career spanned three decades, from 1935 through 1957. He completed over 300 races, primarily in open-wheel "midget" and "sprint" cars on small tracks primarily in the midwestern United States. Mr. Lynch won few of his races but, in his own words, "pushed a lot of guys over the finish line." His aggressive driving style, characterized by bumping slower cars, earned him nicknames such as "Leadfoot Lynch" and "Red Devil."
His racing career was briefly interrupted in 1944 when Mr. Lynch enlisted in the United States Army
, where he was a member of the American occupation force in Japan
. During his tour, he earned his jump wings and joined the 11th Airborne Division. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
The highlight of Mr. Lynch's career was his participation in the Indianapolis 500
in 1949. He qualified in eighth position with a speed of 127.82 mi/h. He crashed into the wall on the first turn of the second lap and held the record for the shortest completed lap at Indy until 1964. Footage of Mr. Lynch's crash, along with other action from that race, was used in the 1949 motion picture The Big Wheel
starring Mickey Rooney
and Spring Byington
.
After a failed attempt to qualify for the 1950 Indianapolis 500, Mr. Lynch continued racing in sprint and midget cars throughout the country, eventually bringing him to California. He participated in the 1951 Mexican Road Race (chronicled in the movie La Carrera Panamericana
and dabbled in stock car racing, participating in the newly-formed National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (now known as NASCAR
). Mr. Lynch officially retired from auto racing in 1957 after becoming "too careful" during a sprint car race.
Mr. Lynch spent his remaining years in southern California as an auto mechanic, fisherman, and ambassador of auto racing.
Mr. Lynch was married five times and had four children: George Jr., Jeanette (died 1969), Roberta, and Neil. After a long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease
, Mr. Lynch died in Los Angeles on May 7, 1997.
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
driver.
George John Lynch was born in Miles City, Montana
Miles City, Montana
Miles City is a city in and the county seat of Custer County, Montana, United States. The population was 8,123 at the 2010 census.- History :...
to John James Lynch and Violet Parks. Enduring a rough childhood that saw his parents divorce, he was reared by his mother's grandparents in Nekoosa, Wisconsin
Nekoosa, Wisconsin
Nekoosa is a city in Wood County, Wisconsin, United States. Its name derives from the Ho-Chunk word, "Nakrusa" which translates to "running water." The population was 2,590 at the 2000 census...
, where Mr. Lynch bought a used open-wheel race car for $100 and began racing, even before obtaining his civilian driver's license.
Mr. Lynch's racing career spanned three decades, from 1935 through 1957. He completed over 300 races, primarily in open-wheel "midget" and "sprint" cars on small tracks primarily in the midwestern United States. Mr. Lynch won few of his races but, in his own words, "pushed a lot of guys over the finish line." His aggressive driving style, characterized by bumping slower cars, earned him nicknames such as "Leadfoot Lynch" and "Red Devil."
His racing career was briefly interrupted in 1944 when Mr. Lynch enlisted in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, where he was a member of the American occupation force in Japan
Occupied Japan
At the end of World War II, Japan was occupied by the Allied Powers, led by the United States with contributions also from Australia, India, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. This foreign presence marked the first time in its history that the island nation had been occupied by a foreign power...
. During his tour, he earned his jump wings and joined the 11th Airborne Division. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
The highlight of Mr. Lynch's career was his participation in the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
in 1949. He qualified in eighth position with a speed of 127.82 mi/h. He crashed into the wall on the first turn of the second lap and held the record for the shortest completed lap at Indy until 1964. Footage of Mr. Lynch's crash, along with other action from that race, was used in the 1949 motion picture The Big Wheel
The Big Wheel (film)
The Big Wheel is a 1949 film starring Mickey Rooney and Thomas Mitchell.-Plot:Rooney plays Billy Coy, a young man determined to follow in his father's footsteps as a race car driver. Despite the fact that his father, "Cannonball" Coy, was killed in a fiery crash during the Indianapolis 500, Billy...
starring Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...
and Spring Byington
Spring Byington
Spring Byington was an American actress. Her career included a seven-year run on radio and television as the star of December Bride. She was a key MGM contract player appearing in films from the 1930s through the 1960s.-Early life:Byington was born Spring Dell Byington in Colorado Springs,...
.
After a failed attempt to qualify for the 1950 Indianapolis 500, Mr. Lynch continued racing in sprint and midget cars throughout the country, eventually bringing him to California. He participated in the 1951 Mexican Road Race (chronicled in the movie La Carrera Panamericana
La Carrera Panamericana
La Carrera Panamericana is a 1992 video of the Carrera Panamericana automobile race in Mexico. The film included a soundtrack entirely of music by the band Pink Floyd, as the band's guitarist David Gilmour, drummer Nick Mason and manager Steve O'Rourke competed in the race in 1991.During the course...
and dabbled in stock car racing, participating in the newly-formed National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (now known as NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
). Mr. Lynch officially retired from auto racing in 1957 after becoming "too careful" during a sprint car race.
Mr. Lynch spent his remaining years in southern California as an auto mechanic, fisherman, and ambassador of auto racing.
Mr. Lynch was married five times and had four children: George Jr., Jeanette (died 1969), Roberta, and Neil. After a long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
, Mr. Lynch died in Los Angeles on May 7, 1997.
Indy 500 results
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