Bobby Ball

Robert Kay Ball (August 26, 1925 – February 27, 1954) was an American racing driver.

Early life Ball's parents divorced when he was a year old. He was raised by his grandmother, who enrolled him in a military academy as a teenager in an attempt to take his mind off cars and motorcycles. On January 4, 1953, he was involved in an accident at Carrell Speedway in Los Angeles which left him with terrible head injuries. Ball remained in a coma, first at the UCLA Medical Center and then at home in Phoenix, but died 14 months later of an infection. Driver Jack McGrath was killed in an accident during the 1955 race. Starting in 1956, the race was sanctioned by USAC, and continued as a 100-mile contest at the fairgrounds through its 1963 edition. In 1964, the race moved to the newly opened Phoenix International Raceway and was run at a distance of 200 miles. It continued as a 200-mile race through the 1969 edition, then was run at a 150-mile distance starting with the 1970 edition, which was won by Swede Savage. The October 1971 edition was won by A. J. Foyt, after which, the race was renamed through sponsorship from Best Western for its 1972 edition. Bobby Ball naming returned for the 1976–1978 editions, the last of which was title sponsored by Miller High Life.

Racing record Complete AAA Championship Car results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Pos Points Ref 1950 Emmett Malloy INDY MIL LAN SPR MIL PIK SYR DET SPR SAC PHX15 BAY12 DARDNQ 49th 15 1951 McDaniel INDY5 MILDNQ LAN DAR SPR MIL DUQ DUQ PIK SYR DET DNC5 SJS11 13th 620 Hart Fullerton PHX15 BAY13 1952 McDaniel INDYDNQ MIL11 RALDNQ SPR15 MIL10 DET9 DUQ6 PIK SYR3 DNC3 SJS1 PHX3 8th 820 Ansted INDY32

Indianapolis 500 results

Complete Formula One World Championship results (key) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 WDC Points 1951 John McDaniel Schroeder Offenhauser L4 SUI 5005 BEL FRA GBR GER ITA ESP 19th 2 1952 Ansted Rotary Stevens Offenhauser L4 SUI 50032 BEL FRA GBR GER NED ITA NC 0