Bob Swanson

Robert John Swanson (August 20, 1912 – June 13, 1940) was an American racing driver.^[1][2]

Bob Swanson
Swanson at the Legion Ascot Speedway, 1935
Born	Robert John Swanson (1912-08-20)August 20, 1912 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	June 13, 1940(1940-06-13) (aged 27) Perrysburg, Ohio, U.S.
Champ Car career
4 races run over 4 years
Best finish	6th (1940)
First race	1936 Vanderbilt Cup (Westbury)
Last race	1940 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Wins Podiums Poles 0 0 0

Biography

Swanson won the first Turkey Night Grand Prix midget-car race in 1934. During the 1939 Indianapolis 500, he was involved in the accident that killed defending champion Floyd Roberts. Thrown out of his car when Roberts hit him, Swanson lay unconscious on the track as the car overturned and caught fire. His lucky escape proved to be only a temporary reprieve, as Swanson was killed a year later while attempting to qualify for a midget car race.^[3]

In a 2006 interview, motorsports reporter Chris Economaki called Swanson "the best racing driver he ever saw."

Swanson was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

Motorsports career results

Indianapolis 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired 1937 33 21 121.920 6 28 52 34 Carburetor 1939 32 22 129.431 3 31 19 0 Rear axle 1940 32 20 124.882 6 6 196 0 Flagged Totals 267 34

Starts 3 Poles 0 Front Row 0 Wins 0 Top 5 0 Top 10 1 Retired 2

References

1. "Motorsport Memorial - Bob Swanson". Motorsport Memorial. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
2. "Bob Swanson". www.champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
3. "Midget auto racer killed". Toledo Blade. June 13, 1940.

External links

• Bob Swanson at Find a Grave