Lewis Strang
Strang in 1908
BornLouis Putnam Strang
(1884-08-07)August 7, 1884
Amsterdam, New York, U.S.
DiedJuly 20, 1911(1911-07-20) (aged 26)
Blue River, Wisconsin, U.S.
Champ Car career
12 races run over 3 years
First race1909 Indiana Trophy (Crown Point)
Last race1911 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
First win1909 G & J Trophy (Indianapolis)
Wins Podiums Poles
1 2 0

Lewis Strang (born Louis Putnam Strang, August 7, 1884 – July 20, 1911)[1] was an American racing driver.[2][3]

Biography

Strang was born on August 7, 1884, in Amsterdam, New York. As the first entrant for the race, which predated modern on-track qualifications, Strang was pole sitter for the 1911 Indianapolis 500.

Strang was killed in a testing accident in Wisconsin on July 20, 1911. He was driving approximately 5 to 10 miles an hour and trying to avoid an approaching farmer. Strang's car became embedded in soft dirt, causing it to tumble down an embankment. He was pinned underneath the overturned vehicle and was crushed to death. [2][4]

Legacy

In 1951, negationist sportswriter Russ Catlin selected Strang as the 1908 AAA National Champion.[5]

Motorsports career results

Indianapolis 500 results

References

  1. "Motorsport Memorial - Lewis Strang". Motorsport Memorial. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Lewis Strang". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  3. "Lewis Strang". Early Aviators. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  4. "Lewis Strang, Famous Automobile Racer, Who Was Pinned Under His Car When It Turned Turtle Off A Five Foot Embankment. Daring Auto Driver is Killed When Going Only Five Miles an Hour". San Francisco Call. July 20, 1911. Retrieved 2012-10-03. Lewis Strang was killed today when his motor car went into a ditch near Blue River, Wis. ... Lewis Strang was 26 years old and was born in New York, but had been connected with the Case company for years. He had driven in practically every race of importance since 1907. In 1907 he was the winner of the circular track mile at Birmingham, Ala., and made a mile record in Nashville. He was a winner in 1908 at Savannah in a road race, also at Lowell, Mass., and at Brighton Beach. In 1909 he was a winner at Ormond Beach, making 100 miles in 94 minutes. In 1910, on the Indianapolis motor speedway, he made a quarter mile record in 8 seconds, making 119 miles an hour, one kilometer, 22 seconds; five miles in 3 minutes 17 seconds.
  5. Capps, Don (29 March 2010). "Automobile Racing History and History". Rear View Mirror. 8W. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
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