Johnny McDowell
Encyclopedia
Johnny McDowell was an American
racecar driver from Delavan, Illinois
. He died in a qualifying crash at the Milwaukee Mile
the week after the 1952 Indy 500.
. He began racing cars at Legion Ascot in 1934. He later moved on to the independent circuits in the Northwestern United States. He then moved to the CSRA circuit based in Ohio
. He had his first experience at the Indianapolis 500
as a riding mechanic for Frank Wearne
in 1937. McDowell raced against top midget car
drivers at Gilmore Stadium
in 1939. He held the points lead until September, and he finished second in the points behind Bob Swanson
. He won thirteen features at the track, and is ninth on the track's all-time win list. McDowell finished second in the AAA
West Coast midget car points standings in 1947. He also won the 1947 Turkey Night Grand Prix
.
McDowell moved to the Midwestern United States in 1948. He won at least eight AAA midget car features, and won the 1948 Soldier Field
title.
McDowell competed in the 1949 to 1952 Indianapolis 500 races. He was killed at the Champ Car
race at the Milwaukee Mile
on June 8, 1952 at age 37.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
racecar driver from Delavan, Illinois
Delavan, Illinois
Delavan is a city in Tazewell County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,825 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Government:...
. He died in a qualifying crash at the Milwaukee Mile
Milwaukee Mile
The Milwaukee Mile is a -long oval race track in West Allis, Wisconsin that seats about 40,000 spectators. It operated as a dirt track until 1953. The track was paved in 1954....
the week after the 1952 Indy 500.
Racing career
McDowell was raised in Pasadena, CaliforniaPasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
. He began racing cars at Legion Ascot in 1934. He later moved on to the independent circuits in the Northwestern United States. He then moved to the CSRA circuit based in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. He had his first experience at 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...
as a riding mechanic for Frank Wearne
Frank Wearne
Frank Wearne was an American racecar driver. An Indianapolis 500 specialist, he participated in the race 7 times, with a best finish of 7th in 1940. He only made two Championship Car starts in races other than the Indy 500. -Indy 500 results:...
in 1937. McDowell raced against top midget car
Midget car racing
Midget cars, also Speedcars in Australia, are very small race cars with a very high power-to-weight ratio and typically use four-cylinder engines.-Cars:Typically, these cars have 300 to 400 horsepower and weigh...
drivers at Gilmore Stadium
Gilmore Stadium
Gilmore Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Los Angeles, California. It was opened in May 1934 and demolished in 1952, when the land was used to build CBS Television City. The stadium held 18,000. It was located next to Gilmore Field...
in 1939. He held the points lead until September, and he finished second in the points behind Bob Swanson
Bob Swanson (driver)
Bob Swanson was an American racecar driver.Swanson won the first Turkey Night Grand Prix midget-car race in 1934. At the 1939 Indianapolis 500, he was involved in the accident that killed defending champion Floyd Roberts...
. He won thirteen features at the track, and is ninth on the track's all-time win list. McDowell finished second in the AAA
American Automobile Association
AAA , formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is a federation of 51 independently operated motor clubs throughout North America. AAA is a not-for-profit member service organization with more than 51 million members. AAA provides services to its members such as travel, automotive,...
West Coast midget car points standings in 1947. He also won the 1947 Turkey Night Grand Prix
Turkey Night Grand Prix
The Turkey Night Grand Prix is an annual race of midget cars. It has been held on Thanksgiving night most years since 1934. It is currently held in Irwindale, California.-Drivers:The event is considered a major event in the midget cars series...
.
McDowell moved to the Midwestern United States in 1948. He won at least eight AAA midget car features, and won the 1948 Soldier Field
Soldier Field
Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears...
title.
McDowell competed in the 1949 to 1952 Indianapolis 500 races. He was killed at the Champ Car
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
race at the Milwaukee Mile
Milwaukee Mile
The Milwaukee Mile is a -long oval race track in West Allis, Wisconsin that seats about 40,000 spectators. It operated as a dirt track until 1953. The track was paved in 1954....
on June 8, 1952 at age 37.
Indy 500 results
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