In the event you had wandered right into a quiet timber mill in northern Michigan during the last 30 years, you’ll have met an unassuming man in a pale pink flannel shirt, smelling of contemporary pine and much more keen to speak about forestry than his personal place in historical past.
But beneath Gordon Johncock’s light, soft-spoken nature was a two-time Indianapolis 500 champion who gave motorsport a few of its most thrilling moments. Along with his passing on September 28, 2026, at age 90, the racing neighborhood remembers not only a legendary champion, however a genuinely humble soul who by no means forgot the place he got here from.
From Tractor Rows to the Brickyard
Gordon Johncock celebrating his victory
Photograph by: IMS Photographs
Johncock’s lifelong relationship with driving did not start on karting tracks, however within the soil of his household’s farm in Hastings, Michigan.
“After I was 5, I began to work on the household farm,” he stated on April 23, 2023. “I drove a John Deere tractor and my dad had me observe a string that was connected to sticks on the finish of every row of corn. He rode behind me on his tractor, that is how it began – farming and driving – all at 5 years outdated in Hastings, Michigan. I have been on a farm just about all my life and revel in it.”
That early consolation behind a wheel translated right into a formidable profession racing Midwest modifieds and super-modifieds within the late Nineteen Fifties and early ’60s. Even after setting a half-mile world document at Winchester Speedway in 1964, Johncock remained remarkably reserved about stepping as much as open-wheel racing’s largest stage.
When he lastly arrived on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for his rookie 12 months in 1965, he erased any doubt about whether or not he belonged. Driving a front-engine roadster in a subject quickly shifting towards rear-engine machines, Johncock completed fifth – marking the ultimate time a front-engine automobile would ever place within the high 5 on the Indy 500.
Uncooked Braveness at 180mph
Gordon Johncock
Photograph by: IndyCar Sequence
Johncock belonged to a definite, fearless period of American open-wheel racing – a time when pit highway was fully unrestricted and drivers pushed their equipment to absolutely the limits.
“I actually benefited from no pit velocity restrict at Indianapolis,” he stated. “I might come into the pits off of Flip 4 broad open and by no means let off till I used to be truly on pit highway. I used to be in all probability going 180 mph? However that was racing again then and also you needed to go 100% wherever you can. You by no means actually thought of it – you simply stored your foot down so long as you can and slowed to hit your marks.”
Tragedy in 1973, Triumph in 1982
Gordon Johncock after second Indy 500 win
Photograph by: Getty Pictures
Johncock’s two victories on the Brickyard with Patrick Racing had been a distinction of heartbreak and glory.
His first victory in 1973 got here at an Indianapolis 500 marred by multi-day rain delays and catastrophic accidents that took the lives of driver Artwork Pollard and crew member Armando Teran, whereas leaving Johncock’s teammate, Swede Savage, mortally injured. Rain known as the race official at Lap 133 with Johncock out entrance. Somewhat than attending a victory celebration, Johncock left the monitor to go to Savage within the hospital earlier than sharing a easy meal along with his crew at a neighborhood Burger Chef.
9 years later, in 1982, Johncock lastly received the celebratory second he had earned. Holding off a furiously charging Rick Mears over the ultimate laps whereas preventing a closely pushing automobile, Johncock dipped low right into a tough patch in Flip 3 on the ultimate lap to remain flat-out.
He held on to win by a mere 0.16 of a second – on the time, the closest end in Indy 500 historical past.
“By far the most important thrill of my racing profession was profitable Indianapolis in 1982,” Johncock stated. “The way in which it occurred, the competitors, so many close to wins after 1973 and all of it got here collectively and the automobile lasted in 1982. Plus I’ve received superb respect for Rick Mears – one of many perfect. He was by no means my teammate however I believe we might have been good ones. I believe the extra strain that was on me throughout a race the higher I did and with the automobile pushing so unhealthy and Rick on my tail it was nice. I am going to always remember it. There are such a lot of recollections from that day – the loopy begin, my closing pit cease and profitable by such a slender margin – lastly pushing so arduous the ultimate laps with Rick in my mirrors.”
The Heartbreak of 1977
For all his success at Indianapolis, Johncock additionally knew how merciless the Speedway could possibly be. In 1977, he dominated the race, main 129 laps and constructing a commanding 13-second hole over A.J. Foyt with victory in sight.
“1977 (Indianapolis 500) was the most important disappointment of my life – the most important,” Johncock stated. “With 16 laps to go I used to be main A.J. – he was 13 or so seconds behind me. I used to be working so easy and straightforward then popping out of 4 (Flip 4) the crankshaft breaks, I pulled over within the Flip 1 grass, received out of the automobile and jumped within the creek proper there to chill off. We had it received. A.J. would have by no means caught me. He would have by no means caught me. Boy oh boy, I am nonetheless disillusioned.”
Versatility and Uncompromising Authenticity
Gordon Johncock
Photograph by: IndyCar Sequence
Whereas primarily often known as an open-wheel grasp, Johncock was surprisingly versatile. He excelled on highway programs – defeating Dan Gurney at Citadel Rock and Brainerd in 1969 – and made 21 NASCAR begins, having fun with the inventory automobile tradition.
“I at all times preferred working NASCAR races – I did not run that many however it certain was enjoyable,” he stated. “I drove a couple of races for Junior Johnson on and off within the 1960’s and 1970’s. Junior and Gene White needed me to run a full season for them within the 1970’s however I could not as a result of they had been Firestone backed and I used to be a loyal Goodyear man. David Pearson, Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison had been simply actual good guys to be round.”
But regardless of his expertise, Johncock at all times resisted company polish, opting for easy authenticity.
“I’ve at all times puzzled what number of 500 wins I would have if I would pushed for (Roger) Penske,” Johncock stated. “I actually cannot keep in mind if we ever talked or not. I did drive for him as soon as at Milwaukee changing Gary Bettenhausen after he crashed a dash automobile the evening earlier than. However should you drove for Penske you knew you needed to do PR work continually and put on black pants – I did not wish to do this half. I preferred the racing half. After I was completed racing for the weekend it was time to go house to the farm and work.”
Protecting an Eye on the Observe
Even in retirement, Johncock maintained a quiet connection to the game he liked, retaining tabs on fashionable racing from his quiet house in South Department.
“Positive I nonetheless watch the IndyCar races…they want extra ovals for certain,” he stated. “I would must say I at all times preserve my eye on Scott Dixon. He is a charger however a wise driver too. I believe he might have pushed with us within the 1970’s and 1980’s.”
Returning to the Quiet Woods
Gordon Johncock with Borg-Warner trophy
Photograph by: Steve Shunck / BorgWarner
Following his closing Indy 500 begin in 1992 – at age 55, making him the second-oldest driver ever to begin the race – Johncock stepped again into the quiet life he at all times most popular. He ran Johncock Forestry Merchandise, saved his trophies downstairs, and positioned his profitable checkered flag close to a deer head in his front room.
In April 2023, BorgWarner hosted a Fiftieth-anniversary celebration for his 1973 victory in Indianapolis, presenting him with a “retro Child Borg.” The costume code on the invitation learn “Johncock informal – flannel shirt and denims,” and all 75 company attended in pink flannel to honor him.
Inducted into the IMS Corridor of Fame (1997), Worldwide Motorsports Corridor of Fame (1999), Motorsports Corridor of Fame of America (2002), and USAC Corridor of Fame (2025), Johncock remained grounded about his legendary previous.
Gordon Johncock is survived by his spouse, Sue; 5 kids (Peggy, Patsy, Pamilee, Wally, and Gordon Jr.); stepdaughters Traci and Valerie; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He leaves behind a legacy outlined by extraordinary velocity, quiet dignity, and a coronary heart that at all times belonged to the easy work again house.
Relaxation in Peace, Gordy.
Gordon Johncock on the Borg-Warner trophy
Photograph by: Brian Spurlock of Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures
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