Stan Fox

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For the North Carolina politician, see Stanley H. Fox.
For the English footballer, see Stan Fox (footballer).

Stan Fox (born July 7, 1952 in Janesville, Wisconsin; died December 18, 2000, near Waiouru, New Zealand) was a United States open wheel race car driver. Fox was one of the last links between the midget car racing and the Indianapolis 500. [1]

Contents

[edit] Midget car career

Fox began his career as a midget car racer. He won the 1979 Badget Midget championship, and the 1979 and 1980 Belleville Nationals. He placed in the top twelve in points in nine seasons, even after he raced sporatically after moving to United States Auto Club (USAC) open wheel events. He had 19 USAC career wins. [1] He won the Turkey Night Grand Prix in 1990 at the last event at Ascot Park. He won the 1991 Turkey Night Grand Prix, two Copper Classics, three Rex Easton Memorials at Springfield, Illinois, two Rodger Mauro Classics, and the midget car portion of the 4-Crown National at Eldora Speedway.

[edit] IndyCar career

Fox competed in the Indianapolis 500 eight times between 1987 and 1995 driving for A.J. Foyt and Ron Hemelgarn. He was also a motorcycle racing enthusiast.

[edit] Nearly fatal crash at Indianapolis

While driving for Ron Hemelgarn, Fox was seriously injured during the 1995 Indianapolis 500 in one of the most horrifying accidents in the history of the race. After starting ninth, Fox went low into the first turn on the first lap of the race and spun. His car collected the car of Eddie Cheever, Jr. and several other cars were involved in the wreck. Fox suffered serious head injuries.

The accident ended Fox's racing career but he continued to stay involved with the sport. He started the non-profit organization Friends of the Fox which supports people with head injuries and brings them to the track each May to meet the drivers and get VIP treatment. Fox never gave up his dream of driving a race car again.

[edit] Death

Unfortunately, Fox would not survive another brush with death: on the Desert Road some 200 miles south of Auckland, New Zealand, Fox's van collided head on with a car. He was 48 years old.

[edit] Career award

[edit] Indy 500 results

Year Chassis Engine Start Finish
1984 March Cosworth Practice Crash
1987 March Cosworth 26th 7th
1988 March Chevrolet 29th 30th
1989 March Chevrolet Failed to Qualify
1990 Lola Buick 27th 33rd
1991 Lola Buick 17th 8th
1992 Lola Buick 13th 27th
1993 Lola Buick 20th 31st
1994 Reynard Ford-Cosworth 13th 13th
1995 Reynard Ford-Cosworth 11th 30th

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Biography at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame

[edit] External links

  • [1] 1995 Indy 500 Crash Photos
  • [2] 1995 Indy 500 Crash Photos
  • [3] 1995 Indy 500 Crash Photos
  • [4] Picture of Stan Fox
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