Art Pollard, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Art Pollard

American racing driver

Date of Birth: 05-May-1927

Place of Birth: Dragon, Utah, United States

Date of Death: 12-May-1973

Profession: engineer, racing automobile driver

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Art Lee Pollard, Jr.
(May 5, 1927 – May 12, 1973), was an American racecar driver. Born in Dragon, Utah, and a grandfather, Pollard drove in the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1965–1973 seasons, with 84 career starts, including the 1967–1971 Indianapolis 500 races.
He finished in the top ten 30 times, with 2 victories, both in 1969, at Milwaukee and Dover. He died in Indianapolis, Indiana, as a result of injuries sustained in practice during the first day of time trials for the 1973 Indianapolis 500.
The car clipped the wall coming out of turn one and did a half-spin as it headed to the grass on the inside of the short chute.
The chassis dug into the grass and flipped upside-down, slid a short distance and then flipped back over as it reached the pavement again in turn two, finally coming to a stop in the middle of the track.
The total distance covered was 1,450 feet (440 m).
The car was demolished. The impact tore off two wheels immediately, and the wings were also torn off during the slide.
Pollard's lap prior to the crash was timed at a speed of 192+ mph.
Pollard was rushed to Methodist Hospital in the new Cardiac ambulance.
His injuries were reported to include pulmonary damage due to flame inhalation, burns on both hands, face and neck, and a broken arm.
He had turned 46 one week before he died. Pollard, away from racing, worked as a car dealer and mechanic and worked with mental health charities.