Cal Niday

Calvin Lee Niday^[1] (April 29, 1914^[2] – February 14, 1988) was an American racecar driver who was born in Turlock, California and died in Lancaster, California.

Cal Niday

Born	(1914-04-29)April 29, 1914
Died	February 14, 1988(1988-02-14) (aged 73)
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality	American
Active years	1953–1955
Teams	Kurtis Kraft, Stevens
Entries	3
Championships	0
Wins	0
Podiums	0
Career points	0
Pole positions	0
Fastest laps	0
First entry	1953 Indianapolis 500
Last entry	1955 Indianapolis 500

Biography

He lost his leg in a motorcycle accident after high school, but it did not affect his race car driving career. Cal is also noted as the first racer to wear a modern-style Bell helmet in the Indy 500.^[3] Niday is one of three drivers to have participated in the Indianapolis 500 with a prosthetic leg, along with Al Miller and Bill Schindler.^[4] The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. During his racing career, Niday travelled to Australia to race Midgets (known as Speedcars in Australia). In 1948, Niday won the 3rd running of the Australian Speedcar Grand Prix at the famous Sydney Showground Speedway. Cal Niday participated in three World Championship races but scored no World Championship points. He died from a heart attack after being thrown from a vintage open-wheeler at Willow Springs raceway.

Indianapolis 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired 1953 99 30 136.096 18 30 30 0 Magneto 1954 24 13 139.828 2 10 200 0 Running 1955 22 9 140.302 4 16 170 0 Crash T4 Totals 400 0

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