Ted Horn

American racing driver (1910–1948)

Ted Horn

Born| Eylard Theodore Horn
(1910-02-27)February 27, 1910
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Died| October 10, 1948(1948-10-10) (aged 38)
Du Quoin, Illinois, U.S.
Championship titles
AAA Midwest Big Car (1938, 1939)
AAA Championship Car (1946, 1947, 1948)
AAA Eastern Big Car (1947, 1948)
Champ Car career
72+ races run over 11 years
Best finish| 1st (1946, 1947, 1948)
First race| 1935 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Last race| 1948 DuQuoin 100 (DuQuoin)
First win| 1946 Williams Grove Race #2 (Williams Grove)
Last win| 1948 Springfield 100 (Springfield)
| Wins | Podiums | Poles

|
|

24 | 49 | 7

Eylard Theodore "Ted" Horn (February 27, 1910 - October 10, 1948) was an American racing driver. Widely considered one of the greatest racers of his time, he was the first person in history to win the AAA National Championship three times consecutively, doing so in 1946, 1947 and 1948.

## Early life and career[edit]

Eylard Theodore Horn was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Horn's family moved several times during his childhood, finally settling in Los Angeles. At 15 years of age he found work at the Los Angeles Times newspaper.[1]

On his way to work one day Horn was pulled over for speeding. Try as he might he could not get out of this situation easily. The policeman gave him a fairly unusual punishment for the infraction. The young man was to travel to a race track called San Jose Speedway where usually there were more cars than drivers, then find a willing car owner to let him drive.[2] Once he got all the speed he had out of his system he could pick up his impounded car. Horn would heed the advice of the policeman and would eventually return to pick up his car. But he found a new passion in auto racing and would never "get the speed he had out of his system."[1]

When Horn began his racing career in earnest at a California race track called Legion Ascot Speedway he found he had much to learn as he was usually the slowest driver on the track. Eventually a few of the drivers gave him pointers on how to pick up his lap times which started to help develop his driving style. He suffered a serious racing accident which broke his foot and burned his back and kept him on the mend for several weeks. At the urging of his parents he promised to abandon the sport. He fully intended to abide by his parents wishes but after three years he began racing again.[1]

Horn steadily improved to the point he finished a close second in a race to Indianapolis 500 winner Louis Meyer. Meyer was impressed with young Ted Horn, who felt he now needed to travel to the mid-western and eastern regions of the United States where there were more race tracks and opportunities for a young race driver.[1]

## Championship car career[edit]

In 1934 in preparation for the Indianapolis 500 Horn practiced in a car called the Mick Special. However, he did not feel comfortable with the car and decided against trying to qualify it. Throughout that summer he campaigned a sprint car on a rigorous schedule once again in the east and midwest. He was successful enough to attract the attention of Harry Miller. Preston Tucker was putting together an ambitious effort with Miller and the Ford Motor Company for the 1935 Indianapolis 500. When asked by Miller, Horn accepted a ride in one of the new Miller Ford V8 cars. He did make the field for the 1935 Indianapolis 500.[1] Unfortunately a flaw in the design of the car would eventually result in the steering gear in the car to eventually freeze up and the car being impossible to steer. He dropped out of the race after 145 laps, most of which was spent fighting the steering problem.[3]

After his first Indianapolis 500, Horn felt that he failed to make an impression. Former driver turned car owner Harry Hartz felt otherwise about the young driver and thought that he did an excellent job of driving under difficult circumstances. Hartz was impressed enough to offer Horn a chance to drive his car in the 1936 Indianapolis 500, which he gladly accepted. Hartz, consistent finisher in his years driving the Indianapolis 500, took Horn under his wing. The combination Hartz and Horn was immediately a potent one as Horn would finish second on his first race with Hartz. He had two more Indianapolis 500 starts with the Hartz machine and finished third and fourth respectively.[1]

The car Horn drove to a second place finish in the 1936 Indianapolis 500 \- later repainted to look as it did when Fred Frame drove the vehicle to victory in the 1932 event

Horn continued to race with moderate success through the 1930s, with second, third and fourth places at the Indianapolis 500 and placing well in the championship standings.[4]

He volunteered for World War II service but was rejected on the basis of his racing injuries.[1] After the cessation of hostilities, racing began again on a limited basis in 1945, and Horn won all seven races he entered that year.[1] Further success came his way in the three subsequent years, giving him the National Championship in 1946, 1947 and 1948; this was the first three-time win.[5] He never won the Indianapolis 500, but achieved nine straight top-four finishes.[4] He also started on the pole in 1947.[2]

## Death[edit]

In a race at DuQuoin, Illinois on October 10, 1948, Horn was involved in a serious accident during the second lap. He was taken to the hospital alive but died a short time later.[6] He was 38. The AAA Championship Car race (now USAC Silver Crown) is known as the Ted Horn 100 in his memory.

## Awards and honors[edit]

Horn has been inducted into the following halls of fame:

* Auto Racing Hall of Fame (1964)[4]
* Eastern Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame (1987)[7][8]
* National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (1991)[5]
* Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1993)[3]

## Motorsports career results[edit]

### AAA Championship Car results[edit]

Year  | 1  | 2  | 3  | 4  | 5  | 6  | 7  | 8  | 9  | 10  | 11  | 12  | Pos  | Points

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1934 | INDY
DNQ | SPR | SYR | MYF |  | NR  | 0
1935 | INDY
16 | MIN
DNQ | SPR | SYR | ALT | LAN |  | NR  | 0
1936 | INDY
2 | GTP
DNQ | SYR
DNQ | GVC
36 |  | 3rd  | 450
1937 | INDY
3 | GVC
17 | SYR
6 |  | 2nd  | 750
1938 | INDY
4 | SYR
4 |  | 4th  | 660
1939 | INDY
4 | MIL
14 | SYR
3 |  | 3rd  | 685
1940 | INDY
4 | ILL
2 | SYR
6 |  | 4th  | 625
1941 | INDY
3 | MIL | SYR |  | 2nd  | 675
1946 | INDY
3 | LAN
3 | ATL
6 | ISF
4 | MIL
2 | GOS
2 |  | 1st  | 2,448
1947 | INDY
3 | MIL
DNQ | LAN
5 | ATL
4 | BAI
1 | MIL
6 | GOS
2 | MIL
1 | PIK | SPR
2 | ARL
1 |  | 1st  | 1,920
1948 | ARL
1 | INDY
4 | MIL
3 | LAN
9 | MIL
3 | SPR
1 | MIL
3 | DUQ
3 | ATL
12 | PIK | SPR
3 | DUQ
17 | 1st  | 1,890

* 1946 table only includes results of the six races run to "championship car" specifications. Points total includes the 71 races run to "big car" specifications.[9][10]

### Indianapolis 500 results[edit]

| Year  | Car  | Start  | Qual  | Rank  | Finish  | Laps  | Led  | Retired  | Chassis  | Engine

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1934 | 53  | DNQ  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Duesenberg | Duesenberg
1935 | 43  | 26  | 113.213  | 27  | 16  | 145  | 0  | Steering  | Miller | Ford
1936 | 22  | 11  | 116.564  | 8  | 2  | 200  | 16  | Running  | Wetteroth | Miller
1937 | 3  | 32  | 118.608  | 17  | 3  | 200  | 0  | Running  | Wetteroth | Miller
1938 | 2  | 6  | 121.327  | 12  | 4  | 200  | 0  | Running  | Wetteroth | Miller
1939 | 4  | 4  | 127.723  | 6  | 4  | 200  | 4  | Running  | Miller | Miller
1940 | 3  | 4  | 125.545  | 4  | 4  | 199  | 0  | Flagged  | Miller | Miller
1941 | 4  | 28  | 124.297  | 8  | 3  | 200  | 0  | Running  | Adams  | Sparks
1946 | 29  | 7  | 123.980  | 11  | 3  | 200  | 0  | Running  | Maserati | Maserati
1947 | 1  | 1  | 126.564  | 3  | 3  | 200  | 0  | Running  | Maserati | Maserati
1948 | 1  | 5  | 126.565  | 9  | 4  | 200  | 74  | Running  | Maserati | Maserati
Totals | 1944  | 94  |
| Starts  | 10

|

Poles  | 1
Front Row  | 1
Wins  | 0
Top 5  | 9
Top 10  | 9
Retired  | 1

* Horn has the best 10-year streak of finishes in Indianapolis 500 history.
* Over his Indianapolis 500 career, Horn completed 1944 out of a possible 2000 laps (97%).
* Although Horn started the 1947 race from the pole position, his was the third fastest qualifying speed behind Bill Holland and Duke Nalon.
* Horn qualified for the prestigious 100 mph Club a record eight times.

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Ted Horn – One of Indy's greatest unlucky heroes". us.motorsport.com. 2020-05-21. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
2. ^ a b Gates, Bob (August 6, 2021). "Ted Horn's Natural Talent". Speed Sport. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
3. ^ a b "Ted Horn". www.mshf.com. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
4. ^ a b c "Ted Horn". IMS Museum. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
5. ^ a b "Ted Horn". www.sprintcarhof.com. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
6. ^ "Ted Horn killed on race track". Toledo Blade. Associated Press. October 11, 1948.
7. ^ "Eastern Motorsports Press Association - Hall of Fame A thru L". empamedia.com. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
8. ^ "Eastern Motorsports Press Association - Hall of Fame". empamedia.com. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
9. ^ "1946 AAA National Championship Trail". www.champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
10. ^ Capps, H. Donald (October 2009). "The Curious Case of the 1946 Season: An Inconvenient Championship" (PDF). Rear View Mirror. 7 (2): 1–16.

## External links[edit]

* David Malsher-Lopez - Ted Horn's sad lesson for IndyCar
* Ted Horn - ChampCarStats.com
* Ted Horn at Find a Grave
* Ted Horn - Motorsport Memorial
* Ted Horn driver statistics at Racing-Reference

* v
* t
* e

American open-wheel car racing champions

AAA (1905–1955)|

* 1905: Barney Oldfield
* 1906–1915
* 1916: Dario Resta
* 1917–1919
* 1920: Gaston Chevrolet
* 1921: Tommy Milton
* 1922: Jimmy Murphy
* 1923: Eddie Hearne
* 1924: Jimmy Murphy (2)
* 1925: Pete DePaolo
* 1926: Harry Hartz
* 1927: Pete DePaolo (2)
* 1928: Louis Meyer
* 1929: Louis Meyer (2)
* 1930: Billy Arnold
* 1931: Louis Schneider
* 1932: Bob Carey
* 1933: Louis Meyer (3)
* 1934: Bill Cummings
* 1935: Kelly Petillo
* 1936: Mauri Rose
* 1937: Wilbur Shaw
* 1938: Floyd Roberts
* 1939: Wilbur Shaw (2)
* 1940: Rex Mays
* 1941: Rex Mays (2)
* 1942–1945
* 1946: Ted Horn
* 1947: Ted Horn (2)
* 1948: Ted Horn (3)
* 1949: Johnnie Parsons
* 1950: Henry Banks
* 1951: Tony Bettenhausen
* 1952: Chuck Stevenson
* 1953: Sam Hanks
* 1954: Jimmy Bryan
* 1955: Bob Sweikert

USAC (1956–1979)|

* 1956: Jimmy Bryan (2)
* 1957: Jimmy Bryan (3)
* 1958: Tony Bettenhausen (2)
* 1959: Rodger Ward
* 1960: A. J. Foyt
* 1961: A. J. Foyt (2)
* 1962: Rodger Ward (2)
* 1963: A. J. Foyt (3)
* 1964: A. J. Foyt (4)
* 1965: Mario Andretti
* 1966: Mario Andretti (2)
* 1967: A. J. Foyt (5)
* 1968: Bobby Unser
* 1969: Mario Andretti (3)
* 1970: Al Unser
* 1971: Joe Leonard
* 1972: Joe Leonard (2)
* 1973: Roger McCluskey
* 1974: Bobby Unser (2)
* 1975: A. J. Foyt (6)
* 1976: Gordon Johncock
* 1977: Tom Sneva
* 1978: Tom Sneva (2)
* 1979: A. J. Foyt (7)

CART/CCWS
(1979–2007)|

* 1979: Rick Mears
* 1980: Johnny Rutherford
* 1981: Rick Mears (2)
* 1982: Rick Mears (3)
* 1983: Al Unser (2)
* 1984: Mario Andretti (4)
* 1985: Al Unser (3)
* 1986: Bobby Rahal
* 1987: Bobby Rahal (2)
* 1988: Danny Sullivan
* 1989: Emerson Fittipaldi
* 1990: Al Unser Jr.
* 1991: Michael Andretti
* 1992: Bobby Rahal (3)
* 1993: Nigel Mansell
* 1994: Al Unser Jr. (2)
* 1995: Jacques Villeneuve
* 1996: Jimmy Vasser
* 1997: Alex Zanardi
* 1998: Alex Zanardi (2)
* 1999: Juan Pablo Montoya
* 2000: Gil de Ferran
* 2001: Gil de Ferran (2)
* 2002: Cristiano da Matta
* 2003: Paul Tracy
* 2004: Sébastien Bourdais
* 2005: Sébastien Bourdais (2)
* 2006: Sébastien Bourdais (3)
* 2007: Sébastien Bourdais (4)

IRL / INDYCAR
(1996–present)|

* 1996: Buzz Calkins/Scott Sharp
* 1996–97: Tony Stewart
* 1998: Kenny Bräck
* 1999: Greg Ray
* 2000: Buddy Lazier
* 2001: Sam Hornish Jr.
* 2002: Sam Hornish Jr. (2)
* 2003: Scott Dixon
* 2004: Tony Kanaan
* 2005: Dan Wheldon
* 2006: Sam Hornish Jr. (3)
* 2007: Dario Franchitti
* 2008: Scott Dixon (2)
* 2009: Dario Franchitti (2)
* 2010: Dario Franchitti (3)
* 2011: Dario Franchitti (4)
* 2012: Ryan Hunter-Reay
* 2013: Scott Dixon (3)
* 2014: Will Power
* 2015: Scott Dixon (4)
* 2016: Simon Pagenaud
* 2017: Josef Newgarden
* 2018: Scott Dixon (5)
* 2019: Josef Newgarden (2)
* 2020: Scott Dixon (6)
* 2021: Álex Palou
* 2022: Will Power (2)
* 2023: Álex Palou (2)

Championship-winning
Teams & Owners|

* Dean Van Lines Racing
* John Zink Racing
* Leader Card Racing
* George Bignotti
* Ansted-Thompson Racing
* A. J. Foyt Enterprises
* Andy Granatelli
* Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing
* Lindsey Hopkins Racing
* All American Racers
* Patrick Racing
* Team Penske
* Chaparral Cars
* Newman/Haas Racing
* Truesports
* Galles Racing
* Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
* Team Green
* Bradley Motorsports
* Chip Ganassi Racing
* Team Menard
* Hemelgarn Racing
* Panther Racing
* Player's Forsythe Racing
* Andretti Autosport

*[Best finish]: Best finish in the championship
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*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template