Bill Vukovich II, 1968 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, dies at 79

INDIANAPOLIS — Bill Vukovich II, part of the storied three-generation Vukovich family of drivers, died on Sunday, according to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He was 79.

Vukovich II had an 18-year racing career from 1965-83, competing in the USAC Championship and IndyCar Series. His best finish in 12 attempts at the Indianapolis 500 was second in 1973, and he was the 1968 Rookie of the Year after a seventh-place finish. He, along with his father, Bill Vukovich Sr., and his son, Billy Vukovich III, were one of five families to have three generations of drivers in the Indianapolis 500, along with the Andrettis, Foyts, Brabhams and Unsers.

Vukovich II had 23 USAC National Midget Championship victories throughout his career and was enshrined in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1998, joining his father.

The story of this legendary racing family was also one of tragedy.

Vukovich Sr. died in a crash at the 1955 Indianapolis 500 when Vukovich II was just 11 years old. Vukovich Sr., 36, was a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and going for his third victory when his car ran into a four-car wreck, flew over the outside wall of the track, flipped over into parked cars and burst into flames. 

“Racing is an intimidating sport,” Vukovich II said following his racing career in 1991 in the Philadelphia Inquirer. “We can hurt ourselves and we know we can hurt ourselves. I have heard some (drivers) say, ‘I am not afraid,’ but those people are liars. The fear is there.”

After his racing career, Vukovich II had the same fear for his son when he expressed a desire to become a third-generation racer. While Vukovich II didn’t encourage his son to become a professional race car driver, he still gave advice when Vukovich III needed it.

But as a race car driver himself, Vukovich II knew the risks, and he couldn’t bring himself to watch his son race. 

“When (the race) was over I had to ask someone: ‘How did my son do?’” Vukovich II told the Inquirer. “I did not like watching him race. I have seen a lot of people in his sport hurt and killed. Jesus, I prayed for that boy every time he raced.”

Vukovich III, who was 27 years old and engaged, died on Nov. 25, 1990, after losing control of his car and crashing into a wall at 130 mph in a sprint car race in Mesa, Arizona. He was gearing up for an IndyCar career at the time of his death — he had competed in seven IndyCar races and three Indianapolis 500s, becoming the 1988 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year.

“He would have surpassed me, oh absolutely,” Vukovich II told the Inquirer after Billy III’s death. “He was better, smarter, and what I was truly proud of was this: He loved life. My son liked people.”

All three Vukovichs have a place in the Fresno State Hall of Fame, their California hometown.