Art Cross

Art Cross (January 24 1918, Jersey City, New Jersey - April 15, 2005, LaPorte, Indiana) was an American racecar driver. He was the first recipient of the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Award in 1952.

Racing career

Cross began racing midget cars in 1938. He received a purple heart for his conduct during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. [http://www.worthyofhonor.com/Inductees/Art_Cross.htm Biography] at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame] He returned to midget cars after the war, and raced in one of Pappy Hough's "Little Iron Pigs."

Cross won the first Indy 500 Rookie of the Year award after a fifth place finish in the 1952 Indianapolis 500. Cross used his take to purchase a farm near LaPorte, Indiana.

He finished second in the 1953 Indianapolis 500 behind Bill Vukovich. Despite it being one of the hottest Indy 500s on record, Vukovich and Cross completed the entire race without relief. Driver Carl Scarborough died from the heat. Cross' car was the "Springfield Welding Special", which was owned by Bessie Lee Paoli, who was the only female owner at the time.

Cross led in the 1954 and 1955 Indianapolis 500 before his retirement.

After retiring from racing, he turned his attention to running the farm in LaPorte, Indiana. He later became involved in a heavy equipment business and in construction.

Indy 500 results

World Championship career summary

The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Art Cross participated in 4 World Championship races. He started on the pole 0 times, won 0 races, set 0 fastest laps, and finished on the podium 1 time. He accumulated a total of 8 championship points.

Awards

* He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1992.

References

External links

* [http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=182075&FS= Obituary]