Jud Larson was one of the toughest and most respected sprint and championship car racers of America’s golden age of dirt-track motorsport. Born Eugene Wesley Larson on 21 January 1923 in Grand Prairie, he became widely known by his nickname “Jud” — a hard-charging competitor admired for his consistency, courage and ability to win on some of the most dangerous tracks in the country.
Driver Bio
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Grand Prairie, Texas, USA |
| Born | 21 January 1923 |
| Died | 11 June 1966 |
| First Grand Prix | 1952 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last Grand Prix | 1959 Indianapolis 500 |
| Years Active | 1952–1953, 1957–1959 |
| Current/Last Team | Kurtis Kraft |
Larson built his reputation during the brutal and highly competitive years of USAC racing, competing in the Championship Car series between 1956 and 1959 before returning again in 1964 and 1965. Across 53 starts, including appearances in the legendary Indianapolis 500 in both 1958 and 1959, Larson established himself as one of the most dependable drivers in the field. He recorded an impressive 38 top-ten finishes and claimed seven Championship Car victories.
Although capable on the biggest stages, Larson was especially revered in sprint car racing, where his fearless style and relentless aggression made him a fan favourite across America’s dirt ovals. He was known as a driver who never backed away from a fight for position, no matter how rough the racing became. Even in the final weeks of his life, Larson remained a formidable force behind the wheel.
Less than two weeks before his death, he delivered one more reminder of his talent during a USAC sprint feature race at Winchester Speedway. After overtaking pole-sitter Greg Weld on just the second lap, Larson controlled the race from the front and held on to win the thirty-lap feature — another classic dirt-track performance from one of the sport’s veterans.
Death
Tragically, Larson’s career came to an end on 11 June 1966 following a devastating accident at Reading Fairgrounds Speedway in Pennsylvania. During the second lap of the evening’s feature sprint car race, Larson and fellow driver Red Riegel became entangled when the wheels of their cars locked together. The two machines shot up an embankment near the first turn before tumbling violently back onto the track multiple times in front of a crowd of around six thousand spectators. Both men suffered fatal injuries in the crash.
Larson’s death sent shockwaves through the American racing community, which had already endured far too many losses during the era’s unforgiving years. Among those who later paid tribute to him was future world champion Mario Andretti.
Jud Larson was laid to rest at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery and Mausoleum.
Grand Prix Stats
| Race Entries | 5 |
| Race Starts | 2 |
| Did Not Start | 0 |
| Best Race Start | 19th |
| Best Race Finish | 8th |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Watson | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19th | 8th | 0 | 0 | NC |
| 1959 | Kurtis Kraft | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19th | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watson | 1957–1959 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19th | 8th | 0 | 0 |
| Kurtis Kraft | 1959 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19th | DNF | 0 | 0 |
