Robert Elwood Carey (September 24, 1904 – April 16, 1933) was an American racing driver. He was the AAA National Champion in 1932.
Racing career
Carey's first national championship race was the 1932 Indianapolis 500. Having taken the lead after Billy Arnold had crashed out, Carey endured a blown right rear tire (causing him to spin three times without hitting the wall or another car), and later a damaged shock absorber; in total, he lost over twelve minutes to the leader and later winner, Fred Frame, but managed to erase four minutes of the interval and finished fourth.
Carey went on to win rain-shortened races at the dirt tracks in Detroit and Syracuse, and clinched the 1932 national title by finishing second in the season finale at Oakland Speedway with points leader Frame dropping out. No other rookie driver would win the national championship until reigning Formula One world champion Nigel Mansell in 1993.
Death
Carey was fatally injured in an accident at Legion Ascot Speedway prior to the 1933 season. He crashed in practice after appearing to have a hung throttle.
Awards and honors
Carey has been inducted into the following halls of fame: National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (2005)
Motorsports career results
Indianapolis 500 results
YearCarStartQualRankFinishLapsLedRetired19326114111.07022420036RunningTotals20036
Starts1Poles0Front Row0Wins0Top 51Top 101Retired0
References
External links
Bob Carey - ChampCarStats.com
Bob Carey - Motorsport Memorial