Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and the 1976 Champ Car Champion Gordon Johncock died at his home in South Branch, Michigan on Monday (Sept. 28) from natural causes at the age of 90.
Johncock raced in IndyCar 262 times between 1964 and 1992, winning 25 races between his first in 1965 and his last in 1983.
During his time in IndyCar, Johncock raced for teams like McLaren, Penske and Patrick Racing which he spent 13 years of his career with.
Johncock is most notable for his two Indy 500 wins which were anything but similar.
His first came in 1973. The race was postponed two days due to rain, and when the event actually took place on Wednesday May 30, it only lasted 133 laps before rain ended it prematurely.
Johncock’s second Indy 500 win was much more memorable as he would have one of the best finishes in Indy 500 history in front of Rick Mears. Mears said he never felt so good finishing second.
Johncock also joined A.J. Foyt as one of two owner/drivers when he owned his team from 1967 to 1970.
Johncock also ran 21 NASCAR Cup Series races between 1966 and 1976.
He was a pioneer of open wheel racing in America, as for such was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1999. Johncock was also inducted into the Michigan Motorsports HoF in 1985, Indianapolis Motor Speedway HoF in 1997, Motorsports HoF of America in 2002 and the United States Auto Club HoF in 2025.
His legacy in IndyCar will be felt for the rest of time. Johncock is survived by his wife, Sue, three daughters (Patsy, Pamilee and Peggy), two sons (Gordon Jr and Wally), stepdaughter (Valerie), 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
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