Chet Miller

American racing driver (1902–1953)
Chet Miller
BornChester Joseph Miller
(1902-07-19)July 19, 1902
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
DiedMay 15, 1953(1953-05-15) (aged 50)
Speedway, Indiana, U.S.
Champ Car career
29 races run over 20 years
Best finish3rd (1938)
First race1930 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Last race1952 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Wins Podiums Poles
0 2 0
Formula One World Championship career
Active years1950–1953
TeamsKurtis Kraft
Entries4 (2 starts)
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points0
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1950 Indianapolis 500
Last entry1953 Indianapolis 500

Chester Joseph Miller (July 19, 1902 – May 15, 1953)[1] was an American racing driver. He was killed in a crash in the south turn of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during practice for the 1953 Indianapolis 500.[2][3] During his long Indianapolis racing career, Miller earned the nickname "Dean of the Speedway."

Miller died at age 50 while driving a Novi-engined Special.[3] He is interred at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.[4]

World Drivers' Championship career

The AAA/USAC-sanctioned Indianapolis 500 was included in the FIA World Drivers' Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indianapolis during those years were credited with World Drivers' Championship participation, and were eligible to score WDC points alongside those which they may have scored towards the AAA/USAC National Championship.

Miller participated in two World Drivers' Championship races at Indianapolis. His best finish was 25th place,[5] and he scored no World Drivers' Championship points.

Upon Miller's death during practice for the 1953 Indianapolis 500, he became the first racing driver to die as a result of an accident during a World Drivers' Championship event.[6]

Motorsports career results

Indianapolis 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired
1930 41 15 97.360 23 13 161 0 Flagged
1931 27 15 106.185 25 10 200 0 Running
1932 9 29 111.053 23 21 125 0 Engine
1933 28 32 112.025 23 20 163 0 Rod
1934 46 32 109.252 29 33 11 0 Crash T1
1935 34 17 113.552 24 10 200 0 Running
1936 18 3 117.675 3 5 200 0 Running
1937 7 13 119.213 13 30 36 0 Ignition
1938 3 5 121.898 9 3rd 200 0 Running
1939 3 5 126.318 8 21 109 0 Crash BS
1940 34 27 121.392 27 17 189 0 Flagged
1941 41 9 121.540 23 6 200 0 Running
1946 5 17 124.649 8 18 64 0 Oil line
1948 31 19 127.249 8 20 108 0 Oil trouble
1951 32 28 135.798 3 25 56 0 Ignition
1952 21 27 139.034 1 30 41 0 Supercharger
Totals 2063 0
Starts 16
Poles 0
Front Row 1
Wins 0
Top 5 2
Top 10 5
Retired 9

  • Although Miller posted the fastest qualifying time for the 1952 Indianapolis 500, he started on the outside of the ninth row. No other fastest qualifier has started this far back in the field.
  • Miller raced 2,061 laps, or 5,152.5 miles (8,292.1 km) at Indianapolis without leading a lap, an all-time record.

FIA World Drivers' Championship results

(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 WDC Points
1950 Kurtis Kraft Offenhauser L4 GBR MON 500
DNQ 		SUI BEL FRA ITA NC 0
1951 Kurtis Kraft Offenhauser L4 SUI 500
25 		BEL FRA GBR GER ITA ESP NC 0
1952 Kurtis Kraft Offenhauser L4 SUI 500
30 		BEL FRA GBR GER NED ITA NC 0
1953 Kurtis Kraft Offenhauser L4 ARG 500
DNQ 		NED BEL FRA GBR GER SUI ITA NC 0

References

  1. ^ "Motorsport Memorial - Chet Miller". Motorsport Memorial. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  2. ^ Brown, Allen. "Chet Miller". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  3. ^ a b Yates, Brock W. "The Indianapolis 500: The Story of the Motor Speedway." Harper and Brothers: New York. 1956. Page 67.
  4. ^ "Indianapolis Auto greats" (PDF). Celebrating Automotive Heritage at Crown Hill Cemetery. Crown Hill Cemetery. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2012-09-10.
  5. ^ "Chet Miller". www.champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  6. ^ "Deaths in Formula One | Formula 1 | F1 features | ESPN.co.uk". web.archive.org. 2015-04-07. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
Preceded by Formula One fatal accidents
May 15, 1953 		Succeeded by