Walter Faulkner was an American racing driver who competed in championship cars, midget racing, and stock cars. He is best remembered for becoming the first rookie to win pole position for the Indianapolis 500 in 1950.
Driver Bio
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Tell, Texas, USA |
| Born | 16 February 1918 |
| Died | 22 April 1956 |
| First Grand Prix | 1950 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last Grand Prix | 1955 Indianapolis 500 |
| Years Active | 1950–1955 |
| Current/Last Team | Privateer: Kurtis Kraft |
Faulkner was born in Tell. As a child, he moved with his family first to Milledgeville, then to Lake Wales, and later settled in San Diego in 1936.
Racing career
Faulkner began in motorcycle racing before moving into midget cars, where he built a strong reputation. He later drove for the Edelbrock dirt-track team and became one of the leading midget racers of his era.
His greatest national recognition came in 1950, when he became the first rookie ever to win pole position for the Indianapolis 500. During the period when Indianapolis counted toward the Formula One World Championship, Faulkner’s Indy appearances were officially recognised as World Championship starts.
Between 1950 and 1960, the Indianapolis 500 formed part of the FIA World Championship, and Faulkner is credited with five World Championship entries. Across those races, he scored one championship point.
In addition to open-wheel racing, Faulkner also competed successfully in stock car events on the American West Coast.
Death
Faulkner died on 22 April 1956 following a crash during qualifying for a USAC Stock Car race in Vallejo.
Faulkner was posthumously inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in 2006 and the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2007.
Grand Prix Stats
| Race Entries | 6 |
| Race Starts | 5 |
| Did Not Start | 0 |
| Best Race Start | 1st ( |
| Best Race Finish | 5th ( |
| Retirements | 1 |
| First-Lap Retirements | 0 |
| Not Classified | 0 |
| Disqualified | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 1 |
Pole Positions
| Pole Positions | 1 |
| First Pole | 1950 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last Pole | 1950 Indianapolis 500 |
| Most Consecutive Poles | 0 |
| Most Poles in a Single Season | 1 |
| Seasons with Poles | 1 |
Qualifying
| Qualifying Sessions | 6 |
| Reached Q3 | Not applicable |
| Q2 Eliminations | Not applicable |
| Q1 Eliminations | Not applicable |
| Did Not Qualify | 1 |
Points
| Points Scored | 1 |
| Points Finishes | 1 |
| Most Points in a Single Season | 1 (1955) |
| Seasons with Points | 1 |
Front Row Starts
| Front Row Starts | 1 |
| Poles | 1 |
| 2nd on Grid | 0 |
| Most Front Row Starts in a Season | 1 |
| Seasons with Front Row Starts | 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 | Privateer: Kurtis Kraft | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1st | 7th | 0 | 0 | NC |
| 1951 | Privateer: Kuzma | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14th | 15th | 0 | 0 | NC |
| 1952 | Privateer: Ferrari 375S | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | DNQ | DNQ | 0 | 0 | NC |
| 1953 | Privateer: Kurtis Kraft | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14th | 17th | 0 | 0 | NC |
| 1954 | Privateer: Kuzma | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | DNQ | 12th | 0 | 0 | NC |
| 1955 | Privateer: Kurtis Kraft | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7th | 5th | 1 | 1 | 22nd |
