Lee Wallard

Leland Wallard (September 7, 1910 – November 29, 1963) was an American racing driver. After a slow start to his career, the unheralded Wallard scored a "Cinderella" victory, authoring a dominating performance in the 1951 Indianapolis 500. Days later, Wallard's career ended as he suffered severe burns when his car caught fire during a promotional event.

Early life and career

Wallard was born in Schenectady, New York. He began competing in 1935, racing at dirt tracks and local fairgrounds. He endured a difficult start to his career, including an accident in which he broke his pelvis. He appeared in his first Championship Car event, Syracuse 100, in 1941.

Wallard enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Second World War, serving with the U.S. Navy Seabees. He spent part of the conflict in Alaska, operating a bulldozer during the construction of numerous airfields.

Post-war driving career

Championship car career

Wallard resumed his racing career following the war, competing more often at the AAA Championship level. He scored one victory in a "big car" event during the anomalous 1946 season. He scored his second, a regular "Championship car" victory, at DuQuoin during 1948.

Indianapolis 500 victory

In the 1951 Indianapolis 500, Wallard drove the Number 99 Belanger Special to victory, at age 40. Tony Bettenhausen had passed up the car, because he wanted to drive a newer front-wheel drive vehicle.

Starting on the front row, Wallard dominated the event, setting a pace that his competitors and their equipment struggled to match. Wallard led 159 of the 200 laps, and became the first driver to complete the event in less than four hours.

Career-ending injury

A week after winning the Indianapolis 500, Wallard was injured during an auto race in Reading, PA. He was severely burned when his race car caught fire in the home stretch of that race. He required 27 skin grafts. In 1954, he attempted to compete in Indianapolis again. He retired before qualifications, discovering the loss of muscle tissue he suffered in his accident made it impossible for him to handle his car at a competitive speed.

World Drivers' Championship career

The AAA/USAC-sanctioned Indianapolis 500 was included in the FIA World Drivers' Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indianapolis during those years were credited with World Drivers' Championship participation, and were eligible to score WDC points alongside those which they may have scored towards the AAA/USAC National Championship.

Wallard participated in two World Drivers' Championship races at Indianapolis. He won once, and set one fastest leader lap. Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame (2013)

Motorsports career results

AAA Championship Car results

Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Pos Points 1946 INDY LAN11 ATL ISF MIL GOS 18th 291 1948 ARL INDY7 MIL LAN6 MIL5 SPR20 MIL11 DUQ1 ATL8 PIK SPR6 DUQ9 6th 865 1949 ARL INDY23 MIL TRE15 SPR5 MIL21 DUQ4 PIK SYR16 DET5 SPR3 LAN6 SAC7 DMR2 8th 760 1950 INDY6 MIL4 LANDNS SPR2 MIL15 PIK SYRDNQ DETDNQ SPR SAC PHX BAY DAR10 11th 637 1951 INDY1 MIL LAN DAR SPR MIL DUQ DUQ PIK SYR DET DNC SJS PHX BAY 7th 1,000 1954 INDYDNQ MIL LAN DAR SPR MIL DUQ PIK SYR ISF SAC PHX LVG-0 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.

Indianapolis 500 results

FIA World Drivers' Championship results

(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 WDC Points 1950 Blue Crown Spark Plug Moore Offenhauser L4 GBR MON 500 SUI BEL FRA ITA NC 0 1951 Belanger Motors Kurtis Kraft Offenhauser L4 SUI 500 BEL FRA GBR GER ITA ESP 7th 9 1954 Belanger Motors Kurtis Kraft D Offenhauser L4 ARG 500 BEL FRA GBR GER SUI ITA ESP NC 0