William A. "Shorty" Cantlon
(October 8, 1903 – May 30, 1947)
was an American
racecar
Auto racing (also known as car racing, motor racing, or automobile racing) is a motorsport involving the racing of automobiles for competition.
Auto racing has existed since the invention of the automobile. Races of various sorts were organise ...
driver. He was killed on May 30, 1947, while racing in the
1947 Indianapolis 500
The 31st International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, May 30, 1947. It was the opening round of the 11 races that comprised the 1947 AAA Championship Car season. The 1946 winner, George Robson, had been k ...
on lap 40 after swerving into the outside retaining wall to avoid the spinning car of
Bill Holland
Willard Holland (December 18, 1907 – May 19, 1984)) was an American race car driver from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1949 and finished second in 1947, 1948 and 1950. He also was runner up in the 1947 American ...
, who recovered from the spin to finish second. After his body was removed, Cantlon's car was left resting against the wall until the end of the 200-lap race.
Indianapolis 500 results
See also
*
List of fatalities at Indianapolis
References
External links
Mauri Rose biography from the show "The Indy 500, a Race For Heroes"Cantlon accident can be seen at approximately 16 minutes, 20 seconds in.
1903 births
1947 deaths
Filmed deaths in motorsport
Indianapolis 500 drivers
People from Paris, Illinois
Racing drivers from Illinois
Racing drivers who died while racing
Sports deaths in Indiana
AAA Championship Car drivers
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