Gordon Smiley
| Gordon Smiley | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |
 American |
| Born |
April 20, 1946 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Died | May 15, 1982 (aged 36) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Champ Car career | |
| 3 (2 starts) races | |
| Years active | 1980–1982 |
| Team(s) | Valvoline, Intermedics |
| First race | 1980 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last race | 1982 Indianapolis 500 |
Gordon Eugene Smiley (April 20, 1946 – May 15, 1982) was an American race car driver who was killed in a single-car crash at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He was inducted into the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2000.
Driving his first race at age 19, Smiley was an accomplished road racer. He raced SCCA Formula Ford, Formula Atlantic (SCCA Formula B), Can-Am, Formula 5000 and Formula Super Vee, winning in each series while setting 25 track records, winning the SCCA National Championship four times prior to turning pro in 1974.
In 1979, he raced in the British Formula One Series (sometimes called the "Aurora Formula One Series") for the Surtees Team, and in 11 races he had eight top-10 finishes, including a win, which is the last by an American in an FIA sanctioned event, at Silverstone, England in 1979. He also disputed the F1 non-championship 1979 Race of Champions in Brands Hatch, finishing 10th with a Tyrrell.
Smiley raced in the Indianapolis 500 twice, in 1980 and 1981, and was killed while trying to qualify for a third in 1982.
In the 1980 Indianapolis 500, Smiley qualified Patrick Racing's Valvoline Phoenix/Cosworth in 20th position. His race ended when the turbocharger blew on lap 47, causing him to finish 25th. In the 1981 Indianapolis 500, Smiley qualified the Patrick Racing Intermedics Wildcat VIII/Cosworth, qualifying 8th and led 1 lap, but finishing 22nd after a crash on lap 141. His crash set up the controversial finish to the Indy 500 between teammate Mario Andretti and Bobby Unser.
After the 1981 CART season ended, Smiley was released from Patrick Racing, but was essentially traded to a Patrick-affiliated ride, Fletcher Racing.
In 1982, record speeds were being set during qualification for the 1982 Indianapolis 500. Both Kevin Cogan and Rick Mears set new single lap and 4-lap records in their attempts.
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