Stubby Stubblefield

Wilburn Hartwell Stubblefield[1][2] (a.k.a. W. H. Stubblefield; he later changed[2] it to Hartwell Wilburn Stubblefield) (1907 in Oklahoma – May 21, 1935 in Indianapolis, Indiana), nicknamed "Stubby", was an American racecar driver. He was killed in a practice crash for the 1935 Indianapolis 500. He is buried at Angeles Abbey Cemetery, Compton, California. Stubblefield was the son of Michael Stubblefield and Mrs. Lela Middlebrook (a.k.a. Lela Kincheloe Couts).[3] Some sources give his birthdate as December 28, 1909 but most sources say 1907 with no month or day specified. Furthermore, a newspaper article states that he was 27 years old at the time of his death,[4] which implies a birthdate between May 22, 1907 and May 21, 1908. At the time of his death, his home was in Los Angeles.[4] Some sources say that he was born in Los Angeles, but most say that he was born in Oklahoma. The 1910 United States Census lists him as being the age of two when his family was recorded on April 25, 1910, and living in Oklahoma City.[5]

Stubblefield and mechanic Oito Wolfer at the 1932 Indianapolis 500

Stubblefield was the first driver ever killed during a qualification attempt at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when he and Leo Whitacker (his riding mechanic) struck a wall on a time trial run; both were killed.[6] At the time of the crash, their speed was about 116 miles per hour.[4] Stubblefield was survived by his wife Dorothy and his daughter Patricia.[6]