The tragic death of Bill Vukovich during the 1955 Indianapolis 500 cast a shadow over the legacy of race winner Bob Sweikert.
That’s unfortunate because Sweikert was one of the most naturally talented drivers this country ever produced. He won in midgets, sprint cars and Championship Cars. He even attracted attention from Europe with his sports car mastery.
Born in Los Angeles, on May 20, 1926, his parents divorced before his birth. His mother remarried, and in 1942 the family moved to Hayward, Calif.
While attending Hayward High, Sweikert wanted nothing more than to become a crooner like Frank Sinatra and took voice lessons toward that end.
Then, he discovered cars.
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