James Robert McWithey was an American racing driver whose career spanned some of the most competitive years of post-war US open-wheel racing. Born in Grammer, Indiana, McWithey built a reputation as a versatile and dependable driver, earning respect on both paved circuits and the demanding dirt tracks that formed the backbone of American motorsport in the 1950s.
Driver Bio
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Grammer, Indiana, USA |
| Born | 4 July 1927 |
| Died | 1 February 2009 |
| First Grand Prix | 1956 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last Grand Prix | 1960 Indianapolis 500 |
| Years Active | 1956–1960 |
| Current/Last Team | Epperly |
McWithey competed in the USAC Championship Car Series during the 1956, 1957, 1959 and 1960 seasons, making 20 career starts against many of the era’s leading drivers. His résumé included appearances in the prestigious Indianapolis 500 in both 1959 and 1960, placing him among the select group of drivers who tackled the world’s most famous motor race during a golden age of American racing.
Over the course of his Championship Car career, McWithey recorded nine top-ten finishes, demonstrating a consistency that made him a regular contender. His finest result came in 1960 when he secured an impressive third-place finish at Trenton, proving his ability to compete at the sharp end of the field against some of the sport’s biggest names.
The standout campaign of his career came in 1959. During that season, McWithey produced a series of strong performances, finishing fourth on three separate occasions and establishing himself as one of the most competitive drivers on the USAC circuit. He also showcased his talents on dirt tracks, claiming sprint car feature victories at both Terre Haute and Williams Grove—two venues renowned for producing some of America’s toughest racing.
James McWithey passed away on 1 February 2009 in Gainesville, Georgia, at the age of 81.
Grand Prix Stats
| Race Entries | 5 |
| Race Starts | 2 |
| Did Not Start | 0 |
| Best Race Start | 32nd |
| Best Race Finish | 16th |
| Retirements | 1 |
| First-Lap Retirements | 0 |
| Not Classified | 0 |
| Disqualified | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 3 |
Qualifying
| Qualifying Sessions | 5 |
| Reached Q3 | 0 |
| Q2 Eliminations | 0 |
| Q1 Eliminations | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 3 |
Stats by Season
| Year | Constructor | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Pts Finishes | Points | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Kurtis Kraft | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33rd | 16th | 0 | 0 | NC |
| 1960 | Epperly | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 32nd | 29th | 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 | 1957, 1959 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33rd | 16th | 0 | 0 |
| Epperly | 1960 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 32nd | 29th | 0 | 0 |
