Speed Gardner
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BornWilliam H. Gardner
July 2, 1895
July 2, 1895
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedApril 25, 1972 (aged 76)
Bayonet Point, Florida, U.S.
Best finish15th (1930)
First race1929 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
| Speed Gardner | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | William H. Gardner July 2, 1895 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | April 25, 1972 (aged 76) Bayonet Point, Florida, U.S. | ||||||
| Champ Car career | |||||||
| 8 races run over 6 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 15th (1930) | ||||||
| First race | 1929 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis) | ||||||
| Last race | 1931 25-mile Heat (Altoona) | ||||||
| |||||||
William H. "Speed" Gardner[1] (July 2, 1895 – April 25, 1972) was an American racing driver during the AAA era. His best result was the first Indianapolis 500 race he managed to qualify for, finishing sixth in 1929 with the help of his relief driver Chet Gardner,[2] completing the event at an average speed of 88.4 mph in his Miller powered Chromolite car.[3] After two successive mechanical failures in 1930 and 1931, he looked ready to qualify for the 1932 Indianapolis 500,[4] but failed to do so. While attempting to qualify for the 1933 race he crashed and sustained a fracture to his left thigh along with severe bruises.[5]