Billy Vukovich III

William John Vukovich III (August 31, 1963, Fresno, California, United States - November 25, 1990, Bakersfield, California, United States), better known as Billy Vukovich III or Bill Vukovich III was an American race car driver. He was a three-time starter of the Indianapolis 500. The grandson of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bill Vukovich and the son of Bill Vukovich II, Vukovich III was the 1988 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. Billy was killed in a sprint car race at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, California, in 1990.

His grandfather was killed while leading the 1955 Indianapolis 500.

He got his start in racing driving for the John Runjavac racing team.

Motorsports career results

American openwheel results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

CART/Indy Car

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Rank Points
1988 Gohr Racing PHX
11
LBH IND
14
MIL POR CLE TOR MEA MIS
17
POC
9
MDO ROA NAZ LAG MIA 30th 6
1989 Hemelgarn Racing PHX LBH IND
12
MIL DET POR CLE MEA TOR MIS POC MDO ROA NAZ LAG 34th 1
1990 Hemelgarn Racing PHX LBH IND
24
MIL DET POR CLE MEA TOR MIS
13
DEN VAN MDO ROA NAZ LAG 34th 0

Indy 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired
1988 56 23 208.545 20 14 179 0 Flagged
1989 81 30 216.698 13 12 186 0 Flagged
1990 81 31 211.389 32 24 102 0 Engine
Totals 467 0
Starts 3
Poles 0
Front Row 0
Wins 0
Top 5 0
Top 10 0
Retired 1

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Fabrizio Barbazza
Indianapolis 500
Rookie of the Year

1988
Succeeded by
Bernard Jourdain
Scott Pruett