This Week in Racing History (May 27-June 2)

This Week in Racing History
Michael J. Stucker

May 27
Lagache and Leonard win the first 24 Hours of Le Mans driving a Chenard-Walker (1923).

NASCAR stockcar racer Jeremy Mayfield born (1969).

Arie Luyendyke becomes the first Dutchman to win the Indianapolis 500. Indy Rookie of the Year Eddie Cheever finishes eighth (1990).

May 28
NASCAR stockcar racer Marvin Panch born (1926).

Buddy Baker drives a Petty Enterprises Plymouth to victory in the World 600 NASCAR stockcar race at Charlotte, North Carolina, USA (1972).

Jacques Villeneuve becomes the first Canadian to win the Indianapolis 500. Because of a 2-lap penalty for passing the pace car, he covers 505 miles to get the win. Honda becomes the first Japanese engine to participate in the race (1995).

May 29
The second "Little 500" for roadsters is run at Sun Valley in Anderson, Illinoise, USA (1950).

NASCAR stockcar driver Ken Schrader born (1955).

Al Unser Jr. wins his second Indy 500 driving a Penske powered by a special pushrod Mercedes engine. Built to fill a loophole in the Indy 500 rules, this is the only race the engine will run. (1995).

May 30
Joe Dawson drives a National to victory in the second Indianaplois 500. Only Indy 500 win for Michelin tires (1912).

Pat O'conner dies in crash during the Indianapolis 500 (1958).

Bob Tullius drives the Group 44 Jaguar XJR-5 to victory in the IMSA GTP race at Lime Rock, Connecticut, USA (1983).

May 31
Bill Vukovich wins his second Indy 500 in a row. All 33 starters are powered by normally aspirated Offenhauser engines (1954).

F1 racer Andrea de Ceasaris born in Rome, Italy (1959).

Jim Richards drives a BMW M3 to victory in the ATCC race at Surfers Paradise, Australia (1987).

June 1
Indy car racer Tom Sneva born (1948).

June 2
Future stockcar great Junior Johnson and his father are arrested for making moonshine wiskey (1956).

Bruce McLaren dies in testing crash at Goodwood, England (1970).