INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLKI)- Gordon Johncock, the fearless Michigan native whose two Indianapolis 500 victories made him one of the race's most enduring figures, has died at the age of 90.
Johncock, who grew up in Hastings, Michigan, won the Indianapolis 500 in 1973 and 1982. His second win came in one of the most dramatic finishes in Speedway history, as he held off Rick Mears by 0.16 seconds, then the closest finish in the event's history.
Johncock made his Indianapolis 500 debut in 1965, finishing fifth as a rookie. He went on to make 24 starts in the race, winning twice and recording 10 finishes of sixth or better. He led a total of 339 laps at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
His 1973 victory came in a rain-shortened race that was marked by tragedy. Johncock took the lead before rain brought the event to an early end. Nearly a decade later, he returned to Victory Lane after a tense closing battle with Mears in 1982.
Beyond the Indianapolis 500, Johncock captured the 1976 U.S.A.C. National Championship and won 25 championship-level Indy car races between 1965 and 1983. He also made occasional starts in stock-car racing, including the Daytona 500.
Johncock's career began on Midwest short tracks, where he raced modified and super-modified cars before reaching the national stage. He was known for a hard-driving style and a straightforward personality that earned respect throughout the racing world.
After stepping away from full-time competition, Johncock continued to make select Indy 500 appearances. His final start came in 1992, when he was 55 years old.
Over the years, Johncock was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, International Motorsports Hall of Fame, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and the U.S.A.C. Hall of Fame.
In later life, he returned to Michigan and operated a forestry business, maintaining the practical, off-track life that accompanied his legendary racing career.