Johnny McDowell

John Maxwell McDowell^[1] (January 29, 1915 – June 8, 1952)^[2] was an American racecar driver from Delavan, Illinois. He died in a qualifying crash at the Milwaukee Mile the week after the 1952 Indy 500.

Johnny McDowell
Born	John Maxwell McDowell (1915-01-29)January 29, 1915 Delavan, Illinois, U.S.
Died	June 8, 1952(1952-06-08) (aged 37) West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S.
Champ Car career
18 races run over 5 years
Years active	1948–1952
Best finish	27th – 1951
First race	1949 Arlington 100 (Arlington)
Last race	1952 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Wins Podiums Poles 0 0 3
Formula One World Championship career
Active years	1950–1952
Teams	Kurtis Kraft, Maserati
Entries	3
Championships	0
Wins	0
Podiums	0
Career points	0
Pole positions	0
Fastest laps	0
First entry	1950 Indianapolis 500
Last entry	1952 Indianapolis 500

Racing career

McDowell was raised in Pasadena, California. He began racing cars at Legion Ascot Speedway in 1934. He later moved on to the independent circuits in the Northwestern United States. He then moved to the CSRA circuit based in Ohio. He had his first experience at the Indianapolis 500 as a riding mechanic for Frank Wearne in 1937.^[3] McDowell raced against top midget car drivers at Gilmore Stadium in 1939. He held the points lead until September, and he finished second in the points behind Bob Swanson. He won thirteen features at the track, and is ninth on the track's all-time win list. McDowell finished second in the AAA West Coast midget car points standings in 1947. He also won the 1947 Turkey Night Grand Prix.

McDowell moved to the Midwestern United States in 1948. He won at least eight AAA midget car features, and won the 1948 Soldier Field title.

McDowell competed in the 1949 to 1952 Indianapolis 500 races. He was killed at the Champ Car race at the Milwaukee Mile on June 8, 1952, at age 37.

Career awards

• He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2003.^[3]

Indianapolis 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired 1949 32 28 126.139 30 18 142 0 Magneto 1950 62 33 129.692 28 18 128 0 Flagged 1951 12 26 132.475 24 32 15 0 Gas tank 1952 31 33 133.939 32 21 182 0 Flagged Totals 467 0

Starts 4 Poles 0 Front Row 0 Wins 0 Top 5 0 Top 10 0 Retired 2

World Championship career summary

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. Johnny McDowell participated in 3 World Championship races but scored no World Championship points.

References

1. "Johnny McDowell". www.champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
2. "Motorsport Memorial - Johnny McDowell". Motorsport Memorial. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
3. "Johnny McDowell". National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27.

External links

• Johnny McDowell at Find a Grave