Elmer George was an American racer whose career stretched across some of the toughest and most dangerous years in open-wheel racing. Equal parts fearless competitor and larger-than-life personality, George became known for his success in championship cars, sprint cars, and at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Driver Bio
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Hockerville, Oklahoma, USA |
| Born | 5 July 1928 |
| Died | 30 May 1976 |
| First Grand Prix | 1955 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last Grand Prix | 1957 Indianapolis 500 |
| Years Active | 1955, 1957–1958 |
| Current/Last Team | Privateer: Kurtis Kraft |
Born in Hockerville, Oklahoma, George built his reputation the hard way — through dirt tracks, relentless touring schedules, and wheel-to-wheel battles in America’s booming post-war racing scene. Between 1956 and 1963, he competed in the AAA and later USAC Championship Car series, making 64 starts against many of the sport’s biggest names. His résumé included appearances in the iconic Indianapolis 500 in 1957, 1962, and 1963, cementing his place among the era’s elite American drivers.
George earned 36 top-ten finishes during his Championship Car career and scored a notable victory at Syracuse in 1957, proving he could win against top-level opposition. That same year, he captured the USAC Sprint Car Series championship — a title that underlined both his versatility and his toughness behind the wheel. In an era when sprint car racing demanded nerves of steel, George thrived.
One of the most dramatic moments of his career came during the 1962 Bobby Ball Memorial race at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. While competing in a USAC Champ Car event, George clipped another car’s bumper and lost control of his HOW Special. The car slammed into the guardrail near the grandstand, tore through a chain-link fence, and flipped upside down into the spectator area. George escaped with cuts and a left shoulder injury, but the frightening accident left 22 spectators injured and became one of the more shocking incidents of the period.
Away from the cockpit, George was deeply connected to the heart of American motorsport. He married Mari Hulman George, daughter of legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman. Together, they had four children, including Tony George, who would later found the Indy Racing League and serve as CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. George also had two children from a previous marriage, Joseph F. George and Carolyn Coffey.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, George remained heavily involved in the sport as director of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network, helping shape how fans experienced racing beyond the grandstands.
Death
Tragically, George’s life ended in dramatic and highly public circumstances. In May 1976, amid divorce proceedings with Mari, tensions escalated between George and Guy Trolinger, a horse trainer working at the family farm near Terre Haute, Indiana. Following the 1976 Indianapolis 500, George drove to the property and confronted Trolinger during the early hours of 31 May. Gunfire erupted during the altercation, and George was killed by multiple gunshot wounds. A grand jury later ruled that Trolinger had acted in self-defence after determining George had been armed and had fired his own weapon during the confrontation.
Though his life ended far too soon, Elmer George left a lasting mark on American motorsport — not only as a driver and champion, but as part of one of racing’s most influential families. In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2005.
Grand Prix Stats
| Race Entries | 3 |
| Race Starts | 1 |
| Did Not Start | 0 |
| Best Race Start | 9th |
| Best Race Finish | – |
| Retirements | 1 |
| First-Lap Retirements | 1 |
| Not Classified | 0 |
| Disqualified | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 2 |
Qualifying
| Qualifying Sessions | 3 (Entries) |
| Reached Q3 | – |
| Q2 Eliminations | – |
| Q1 Eliminations | – |
| Did Not Qualify | 2 |
Stats by Season
| Year | Constructor | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Pts Finishes | Points | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955, 1957–1958 | Privateer: Kurtis Kraft | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9th | DNF | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Privateer: Kurtis Kraft | 1955, 1957–1958 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9th | DNF | 0 | 0 |
