SamHanks

Samuel Dwight Hanks, born in Columbus, Ohio, on July 13, 1914, carved out a distinguished career in American motorsport, culminating in a legendary victory at the 1957 Indianapolis 500. His journey through the ranks of racing was marked by versatility and persistence, spanning midget cars, championship cars, and stock cars, a testament to his enduring passion for competition. Hanks, who moved to Alhambra, California, at the age of six and attended Alhambra High School, was a true barnstormer, traversing the country to compete on various circuits, embodying the spirit of early American racing. He passed away on June 27, 1994, in Pacific Palisades, California, at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy of hard-fought triumphs and a unique place in motorsport history.

Early Life and Diverse Racing Roots

Hanks’s formative years in racing were characterized by a rapid ascent through regional and national midget car circuits. His talent quickly became apparent, leading him to secure his first championship title in 1937 on the West Coast, competing in the American Midget Association (AMA). This early success propelled him into the demanding world of barnstorming, where he honed his skills on diverse tracks across the United States. Notably, Hanks made his mark on the challenging board tracks, achieving a significant milestone by reportedly winning the first two board track races held at Soldier Field in Chicago in 1939. His early career momentum continued into the new decade, as he claimed the 1940 VFW Motor City Speedway championship in Detroit, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable competitor. The outbreak of the Second World War interrupted many racing careers, and Hanks was no exception. He honorably served his country in the Army Air Corps during the conflict, a period that temporarily paused his burgeoning motorsport endeavors. His commitment to service, however, did not diminish his racing ambition, and he would return to the track with renewed determination after the war.

Post-War Triumphs and Championship Pedigree

Following his military service, Hanks resumed his racing career with vigor, quickly re-establishing himself as a dominant force in various categories. The post-war era saw him collect a series of significant championships, showcasing his adaptability and skill across different racing disciplines. In 1946, he captured the United Racing Association (URA) Blue Circuit Championship, demonstrating his prowess in a highly competitive environment. The following year, 1947, he added another notable victory to his resume, winning the prestigious Night before the 500 midget car race, an event that highlighted his continued mastery of midget car racing. Hanks’s success continued into the end of the decade, as he was crowned the 1949 AAA National Midget champion, a testament to his consistent performance and expertise in the midget car arena. His career then transitioned to the higher echelons of American open-wheel racing, where he achieved one of his most significant pre-Indy 500 triumphs: the 1953 AAA National Championship. This title was secured while driving the distinctive Bardahl Special, marking him as a national champion in the premier American racing series of the time. Even as his focus shifted, Hanks continued to diversify his racing activities, and in 1956, he demonstrated his versatility by winning the Pacific Coast championship in USAC Stock cars, proving his ability to compete and win in a wide array of machinery.

The Indianapolis 500 and World Championship Recognition

The Indianapolis 500 held a unique status in global motorsport during the 1950s, as it was included in the FIA World Drivers’ Championship from 1950 through 1960. This meant that drivers competing at the iconic Brickyard during these years were credited with World Drivers’ Championship participation and were eligible to score points alongside those they might accumulate towards the AAA/USAC National Championship. Sam Hanks’s career at Indianapolis was a protracted quest for victory, marked by both perseverance and near misses. His journey to the pinnacle of American racing was a long one, spanning over a decade. The 1957 Indianapolis 500 marked his thirteenth appearance at the event. However, his history with the race was not without its challenges; in 1941, he was credited with a 33rd-place finish despite not racing, having been injured in a practice crash the day before and withdrawing from the event. Thus, the 1957 race was, in effect, his twelfth actual start. It was in this twelfth attempt where he finally achieved his long-sought victory, setting a record for the most tries before becoming a winner at Indy—a record later echoed by Tony Kanaan in 2013. The triumph was made all the more memorable by Hanks’s immediate announcement of his retirement from racing in Victory Circle, a dramatic and fitting conclusion to his pursuit of the Indy 500 crown. Despite this declaration, he did not cease racing entirely, fulfilling his contractual obligations to run a stock car for the remainder of the 1957 season. Within the context of the World Drivers’ Championship, Hanks participated in eight such races at Indianapolis. His 1957 victory stands as his sole win in this prestigious global series. Throughout his WDC appearances, he demonstrated consistent performance, finishing in the top three on four occasions and accumulating a total of 20 World Drivers’ Championship points, solidifying his place among the elite drivers of his era.

A Life Beyond the Cockpit and Enduring Legacy

Even after his primary racing career concluded with his Indianapolis 500 victory, Sam Hanks remained a prominent figure at the Brickyard. From 1958 to 1963, he had the distinguished honor of driving the pace car for the Indianapolis 500, a role that kept him intimately connected with the race he had so famously won. Hanks holds a unique distinction in the annals of Indianapolis 500 history: he is believed to be the only driver to have participated in the race before World War II, subsequently served in the war effort, and then returned to compete again after the war. This remarkable trajectory underscores his dedication and resilience across a period of immense global upheaval. Beyond his racing achievements, a curious historical footnote suggests that Hanks may have been a distant relative of Abraham Lincoln, adding an intriguing layer to his personal story. Sam Hanks passed away on June 27, 1994, at his home in Pacific Palisades, California, at the age of 79, after experiencing ill health for three years. His life was a testament to a bygone era of motorsport, characterized by diverse challenges and the sheer will to compete and win.

Accolades and Hall of Fame Inductions

Sam Hanks’s significant contributions to motorsport have been widely recognized through numerous awards and inductions into prestigious halls of fame. His legacy is enshrined in the Auto Racing Hall of Fame (inducted 1981), the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame (1984), the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame (1984), and the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (1998). Further cementing his place among racing legends, he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2000 and the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005. His local roots were also honored with an induction into the Alhambra High School Hall of Fame. In addition to these hall of fame recognitions, Hanks was awarded the Automotive Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Citation in 1971, acknowledging his profound impact and dedication to the automotive and racing industries.