Chet Miller

Chet Miller
Born	July 19, 1902; Detroit, Michigan
Died	May 15, 1953 (aged 50); Indianapolis, Indiana
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality	American
Active years	1950–1953
Teams	Kurtis Kraft
Entries	4 (2 starts)
Championships	0
Wins	0
Podiums	0
Career points	0
Pole positions	0
Fastest laps	0
First entry	1950 Indianapolis 500
Last entry	1953 Indianapolis 500

Chester Miller (July 19, 1902 – May 15, 1953) was an American racecar driver. He was killed in a crash in the south turn of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during practice for the 1953 Indianapolis 500.[1] During his long Indy career, Miller earned the nickname "Dean of the Speedway."

He died at age 50 while driving a Novi-engined Special.[1] He is interred at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.[2]

Indianapolis 500 results

Year	Car	Start	Qual	Rank	Finish	Laps	Retired
1930	41	15	97.360	23	13	161	Flagged
1931	27	15	106.185	25	10	200	Running
1932	9	29	111.053	23	21	125	Engine
1933	28	32	112.025	23	20	163	Rod
1934	46	32	109.252	29	33	11	Crash T1
1935	34	17	113.552	24	10	200	Running
1936	18	3	117.675	3	5	200	Running
1937	7	13	119.213	13	30	36	Ignition
1938	3	5	121.898	9	3rd	200	Running
1939	3	5	126.318	8	21	109	Crash BS
1940	34	27	121.392	27	17	189	Flagged
1941	41	9	121.540	23	6	200	Running
1946	5	17	124.649	8	18	64	Oil line
1948	31	19	127.249	8	20	108	Oil trouble
1951	32	28	135.798	3	25	56	Ignition
1952	21	27	139.034	1	30	41	Supercharger
Totals						2063

Starts	16
Poles	0
Front Row	1
Wins	0
Top 5	2
Top 10	5
Retired	9

Although Miller posted the fastest qualifying time for the 1952 Indianapolis 500, he started on the outside of the ninth row. No other fastest qualifier has started this far back in the field.
Miller drove over 5,000 miles (8,000 km) at Indianapolis without leading a lap, an all-time record.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Chassis	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	WDC
1950	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	GBR	MON	500 DNQ	SUI	BEL	FRA	ITA			NC
1951	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	SUI	500 25	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	ITA	ESP		NC
1952	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	SUI	500 30	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	NED	ITA		NC
1953	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	ARG	500 DNQ	NED	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	SUI	ITA	NC

World Championship career summary

Although run to a completely different set of rules, the Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA Formula One World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Chet Miller participated in 2 World Championship races - the 1951 and 1952 Indianapolis 500. He retired from both races, and therefore scored no championship points.

With his death during practice for the 1953 Indianapolis 500, Miller became the first driver to die as a result of a crash during a World Championship event, and the second driver to die either in a Formula One car or at a World Championship event, after Englishman Cameron Earl had died 11 months earlier while testing an ERA Formula One car at the MIRA proving ground in England.

Preceded by Cameron Earl	Formula One fatal accidents May 15, 1953	Succeeded by Charles de Tornaco

References

Yates, Brock W. "The Indianapolis 500: The Story of the Motor Speedway." Harper and Brothers: New York. 1956. Page 67.
"Indianapolis Auto greats" (PDF). Celebrating Automotive Heritage at Crown Hill Cemetery. Crown Hill Cemetery. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2012-09-10.

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[yates-1] Yates, Brock W. "The Indianapolis 500: The Story of the Motor Speedway." Harper and Brothers: New York. 1956. Page 67.

[Crown_Hill_Autos-2] "Indianapolis Auto greats" (PDF). Celebrating Automotive Heritage at Crown Hill Cemetery. Crown Hill Cemetery. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2012-09-10.