Elmer George
Template:Short description Template:Infobox racing driver
Elmer Ray George<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (July 15, 1928 – May 31, 1976)<ref name="ChicaneF1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> was an American race car driver.
Born in Hockerville, Oklahoma, George died in Terre Haute, Indiana. He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1956–1963 seasons with 64 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1957, 1962, and 1963.<ref name="ReferenceA">Template:Cite episode</ref>
He finished in the top ten 36 times, with one victory, in 1957 at Syracuse.
George was also the 1957 USAC Sprint Car Series champion.
On November 18, 1962, George suffered cuts and a left shoulder injury in a USAC Champ Car race held at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. Having hit another car's bumper, George lost control of his HOW Special, hit the guard rail before the grandstand, slid and headed towards the stands where he broke through a chain-link fence, landing upside down. 22 spectators were injured as a result.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Personal
Elmer George was married to Mari Hulman George, daughter of Tony Hulman, owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> Elmer and Mari had three daughters and one son, Tony George, founder of the Indy Racing League, and Ex-CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Elmer had two children from a previous marriage, Joseph F. George and Carolyn Coffey.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, George was the director of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
On May 3, 1976, Mari filed for divorce.<ref name="Oreovicz">Template:Cite news</ref> On the day of the 1976 Indianapolis 500 (May 30, 1976), Elmer George argued by telephone with Guy Trolinger, a horse trainer at the family farm near Terre Haute, and Mari's alleged boyfriend.<ref name="Oreovicz"/> After the race, George drove to the farm, broke into the house and confronted Trolinger, then around 1:00 a.m., gunfire broke out, and George was shot and killed as a result of multiple gunshot wounds.<ref name="Oreovicz"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A grand jury ruled that Trolinger killed George in self-defense, as George was armed and also discharged his firearm during the confrontation, at which point the charges were dropped.<ref name="Oreovicz"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Award
He was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2005.
Complete AAA/USAC Championship Car results
Indianapolis 500 results
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| Year | Car | Start | Qual | Rank | Finish | Laps | Led | Retired |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | 23 | 9 | 140.729 | 22 | 33 | 0 | 0 | Crash BS |
| 1962 | 21 | 17 | 146.092 | 33 | 17 | 146 | 0 | Engine |
| 1963 | 21 | 28 | 147.893 | 31 | 30 | 21 | 0 | Handling |
| Totals | 167 | 0 | ||||||
| Starts | 3 |
|---|---|
| Poles | 0 |
| Front Row | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Top 5 | 0 |
| Top 10 | 0 |
| Retired | 3 |
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. George participated in the 1957 Indianapolis 500, his only World Championship race. He finished 33rd and did not accumulate any championship points.