Cecil Green (born Judge Cecil Holt; 30 September 1919 – 29 July 1951) was an American racing driver from Dallas, Texas, whose rapid rise through midget and championship racing made him one of the sport’s brightest talents. A standout competitor in the late 1940s, Green competed twice in the Indianapolis 500 before his career was tragically cut short in 1951.
Driver Bio
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Dallas, Texas, USA |
| Born | 30 September 1919 |
| Died | 29 July 1951 |
| First Grand Prix | 1950 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last Grand Prix | 1951 Indianapolis 500 |
| Years Active | 1950–1951 |
| Current/Last Team | Kurtis Kraft |
Racing career
Green established himself as one of the leading midget racers in the American Midwest, winning 34 races across Oklahoma and Missouri between 1948 and 1950, while also collecting numerous victories in his home state of Texas. His consistency and speed earned him both the 1949 Oklahoma City AAA title and the Southwest AAA Championship, underlining his status as one of the country’s finest short-track drivers.
A versatile competitor, Green claimed victories driving seven different Offenhauser-powered cars, demonstrating an ability to adapt quickly to different machinery.
His success in regional racing opened the door to the Indianapolis 500. On his debut in 1950, Green produced an impressive drive to finish fourth, an outstanding result for a rookie in America’s most prestigious motor race. He returned to the Brickyard the following year but was unable to repeat that performance, finishing 22nd in the 1951 Indianapolis 500.
Only weeks later, tragedy struck. On 29 July 1951, while attempting to qualify for an AAA sprint car event at Funk’s Speedway in Winchester, Indiana, Green suffered a fatal accident. The day became known throughout American motorsport as “Black Sunday” because of the multiple fatalities that occurred during racing events.
Military service
Away from the racetrack, Green served in the United States Army during the Second World War. He enlisted in Houston in April 1942 and rose to the rank of corporal, serving as a Fifth Grade Technician in the Ordnance Department. At the time of his enlistment, he was married and living in Harris County, Texas.
Career award
Green’s achievements continued to be recognised long after his death. In 2003, he was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in honour of his outstanding contribution to American midget racing and his brief but memorable career.
World Championship career summary
Although Cecil Green never competed in a European Formula One Grand Prix, he was officially classified as a Formula One World Championship driver. This was because the Indianapolis 500 formed part of the FIA World Championship between 1950 and 1960, with competitors earning World Championship points and statistics alongside those racing in Formula One Grands Prix elsewhere in the world.
Green made two World Championship starts at the Indianapolis 500 in 1950 and 1951. During that time, he started from pole position on no occasions, claimed no victories, recorded no fastest laps and did not score a podium finish. His impressive fourth-place result on his Indianapolis debut in 1950 earned him three World Championship points, which remained his final championship tally.
Grand Prix Stats
| Race Entries | – |
| Race Starts | 2 |
| Did Not Start | 0 |
| Best Race Start | 10th |
| Best Race Finish | 4th |
| Retirements | 1 |
| First-Lap Retirements | 0 |
| Not Classified | 0 |
| Disqualified | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 0 |
Qualifying
| Qualifying Sessions | – |
| Reached Q3 | – |
| Q2 Eliminations | – |
| Q1 Eliminations | – |
| Did Not Qualify | 0 |
Points
| Points Scored | 3 |
| Points Finishes | 1 |
| Most Points in a Single Season | 3 (1950) |
| Seasons with Points | 1 |
Stats by Season
| Year | Constructor | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Pts Finishes | Points | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Kurtis Kraft | – | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 3 | 13th |
| 1951 | Kurtis Kraft | – | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | – | – | 0 | 0 | NC |
Stats by Constructor
| Constructor | Years | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Pts Finishes | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kurtis Kraft | 1950–1951 | – | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | – | – | 1 | 3 |
