Vukovich: The Man Who Wouldn't Lift

by Angelo Angelopolous

Bill Vukovich was the greatest race driver of his era, a grim, hard-charging product of a humble and difficult childhood. He honed his racing skills and temperament on the midget and sprint car tracks in California and then went on to dominate the Indianapolis 500. He led 150 laps of the race in 1952 before steering failure forced him out with just eight laps to go. He won the race easily in 1953 and ‘54 and still is the only “500” driver to lead the most laps for three consecutive years. He was headed for a third consecutive victory in 1955 with a 17-second lead after 57 laps when he was swept up in a horrific backstretch accident that took his life. Although private by nature and gruff with strangers, Vukovich was generous with friends and fellow drivers and extremely devoted to his wife and two children. He was the epitome of the strong, silent type. Indeed, this book reads like a Hollywood movie script, revealing the life-threatening drama of championship auto racing and the private moments of the reclusive driver who excelled in it.

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Reviews

[Nicknjeffers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story wonderfully told - i feel like i've known vukovich for years. Angelo also had several just wonderful turns of phrase that were vintage 50's newsman--definitely an above-average writing craft for biographies; credit also to Monteith of course. A great pick for anyone fan of the indomitable human spirit, or of course, of racing.