Gordon Johncock, a championship-winning driver and two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, has passed away at the age of 90.
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Born in 1936 in Hastings, Michigan, Johncock competed in multiple racing disciplines throughout his Hall of Fame career. For example, he drove Midwest super-modifieds, NASCAR Cup Series cars, and IndyCar cars while earning induction into five different Halls of Fame.
He is a member of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, and the USAC Hall of Fame.
Johncock achieved the most success in IndyCar while competing against the biggest names in the sport. His rookie class alone featured Mario Andretti and Al Unser. He also competed against AJ Foyt, Rick Mears, and Dan Gurney among many others.
One of the grandest men of the old guard, Gordon Johncock. As a driver, he was one of a kind, with an unassuming manner. To him, he wasn't doing anything that special..... and he was. Rest in peace my friend. pic.twitter.com/jjXqOqLPZi
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) September 29, 2026
The Michigan native made his debut in the series in the mid-1960s, and he went on to make 261 starts. He won 25 times, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1973 and 1982. He won the USAC National Championship in 1976.
Johncock made 21 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series between 1966 and 1976. He competed in the Daytona 500 three times, he won the pole at Atlanta Motor Speedway once, and he posted four top-10 finishes. A fourth-place finish in the summer Daytona race served as his career-best mark.
RIP to the legendary Gordon Johncock who secured victory in arguably the most tragic Indianapolis 500 in history in 1973 and one of the most thrilling in 1982. @IndycarRadio pic.twitter.com/xm3UPKitKI
— Nick Yeoman (@NYeoman) September 29, 2026
"Gordon Johncock was known for his hard-charging, no-nonsense style of racing, and he left a lasting legacy on both Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar," said IMS President J. Douglas Boles.
"While his 1973 Indianapolis 500 victory was overshadowed by tragedy, that race was an inflection point for safety, leading to a vital shift in track engineering and regulations.
"Gordon was unable to truly celebrate his first win, so that made his second win in 1982, following a thrilling duel with Rick Mears, all the more memorable. His victory is one of the iconic moments in the history of the Speedway. Remembered as much for his quiet life away from racing, Gordon left a lasting impact on the world of motorsports. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
