Leland "Lee" 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 - 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 points and participation in addition to those which they received towards the AAA/USAC National Championship.
Wallard participated in two World Drivers' Championship races at Indianapolis. He won once, recorded one fastest lap, and accumulated nine World Drivers' Championship points.
Post-driving life
Wallard later moved to Florida, and died of a heart attack related to the injuries he had suffered in 1951.
Awards and honors
Wallard has been inducted into the following halls of fame:
Motorsports career results
AAA Championship Car results
11
7
6
5
20
11
1
8
6
9
23
15
5
21
4
16
5
3
6
7
2
6
4
DNS
2
15
DNQ
DNQ
10
1
DNQ
Indianapolis 500 results
FIA World Drivers' Championship results
(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
6
1
DNQ
Original Wikipedia article last retrieved on 07 January 2024.