Sam Hanks
| Born | July 13, 1914 |
|---|---|
| Died | June 27, 1994 (aged 79) |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |
 American |
| Active years | 1950–1957 |
| Teams | Epperly, Kurtis Kraft |
| Entries | 8 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 1 |
| Podiums | 4 |
| Career points | 20 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 1950 Indianapolis 500 |
| First win | 1957 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last win | 1957 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last entry | 1957 Indianapolis 500 |
Sam Hanks (July 13, 1914, Ohio - June 27, 1994, Pacific Palisades, California) was an American racecar driver who won the 1957 Indianapolis 500. He was a barnstormer, and raced midget and Championship cars.
He won his first championship in 1937 on the West Coast in the AMA. He barnstormed the country, racing on the board tracks at Soldier Field in Chicago and the Los Angeles Coliseum Motordome. Hanks reportedly won the first two board track races at Soldier Field in 1939. Hanks won the 1940 VFW Motor City Speedway championship. After World War II, he captured the 1946 URA Blue Circuit Championship. He won the 1947 Night before the 500 midget car race. He was the 1949 AAA National Midget champion. He won the 1953 AAA Championship in the Bardahl Special. He won the 1956 Pacific Coast championship in the USAC Stock cars.
Hanks considered retiring following the 1956 Indianapolis 500, but agreed to return for the 1957 race at the urging of car owner George Salih. He would win in 1957 in his thirteenth attempt (the most tries of any Indy winner) and announced his retirement from racing in Victory Circle. He did not stop racing immediately following his victory, however, but completed his contract to run a for the remainder of the 1957 season.
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