Jerry Hoyt

Gerald Frederick Hoyt<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (January 29, 1929 – July 11, 1955)<ref name=mem>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> was an American racing driver from Chicago, mainly competing in the National Championship. He died on July 11, 1955, after crashing in a sprint car race at Oklahoma City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Hoyt served in the 101st Airborne Division during the Second World War.

Indy 500

In the 1955 Indianapolis 500 Hoyt surprised many, including himself, by winning the pole (first starting position) in qualifications. His average speed for the run of 140.045 miles per hour was at the time the second fastest ever at the speedway.<ref>Speedway Gamble: Hoyt risked wind, won pole positionTemplate:Dead link United Press, May 25, 1955. Retrieved May 11, 2014.</ref> However an oil leak would force him to retire from the race after 40 laps. As the 500 was part of the FIA World Championship at the time, Hoyt was credited for being the youngest pole sitter in the history of the series to that point. In his four races at the speedway, he would never complete more than 130 laps in the 200 lap race.

Death

On July 11, 1955, two months after winning the pole at Indianapolis, Hoyt was entered into a sprint car race in Oklahoma City. On the first lap, his car made contact with a fence, causing it to overturn. The cars of the time provided little protection for the driver's head, and Hoyt died the next morning of brain injuries. He had been married just two weeks earlier.<ref>Jerry Hoyt dies after crash in Oklahoma City Associated Press, July 11, 1955. Retrieved May 11, 2014.</ref>

He is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.<ref name="Crown Hill Autos">Template:Cite news</ref>

Indianapolis 500 results

Year	Car	Start	Qual	Rank	Finish	Laps	Led	Retired
1950	81	15	129.520	31	21	125	0	Flagged
1953	55	7	135.731	24	23	107	0	Overheating
1954	99	30	137.825	27	26	130	0	Engine
1955	23	1	140.045	10	31	40	0	Oil leak
Totals						402	0

Starts	4
Poles	1
Front Row	1
Wins	0
Top 5	0
Top 10	0
Retired	3

• Although Hoyt started the 1955 race from the pole position, his qualifying speed ranked tenth behind fastest qualifier Jack McGrath. This is the lowest speed rank for a pole sitter in the Indianapolis modern era.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	WDC	Points
1950	Ludson Morris	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	GBR	MON	500 Template:Small	SUI	BEL	FRA	ITA			NC	0
1951	Pat Clancy	Ewing	Offenhauser L4	SUI	500 Template:Small	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	ITA	ESP		NC	0
1953	John Zink	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	ARG	500 Template:Small	NED	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	SUI	ITA	NC	0
1954	Hoosier Racing	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	ARG	500 8 †	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER				NC	0
1955	Jim Robbins	Stevens	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	500 Template:Small	BEL	NED	GBR	ITA			NC	0

• * Indicates shared drive with Andy Linden and Chuck Stevenson
• † Indicates shared drive with Paul Russo

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. Jerry Hoyt participated in 4 World Championship races, starting on the pole once but scoring no World Championship points.

External links

• Template:Find a Grave