Bob Sweikert's surname was later changed to Sweikert to avoid anti-German sentiment before WWII.
20 Facts About Bob Sweikert
1.
2.
Bob Sweikert's mother had married his stepfather, an electrician for the state of California, when Bob was an infant.
3.
From age 16 Bob Sweikert worked after school as a mechanic at the local Ford dealership in Hayward.
4.
In late 1944, Bob Sweikert enrolled in the US Army Air Force, but suffered a severe knee injury while training at Lowry Field in Colorado.
5.
In 1947, Bob Sweikert met his first wife, Marion Edwards, at a party at UCLA.
6.
Bob Sweikert returned to Hayward and opened his own small business, Bob Sweikert Automotive, an automotive repair shop based out of his parents' garage.
7.
On Memorial Day, May 26,1947 Bob Sweikert ran his first race for prize money at the Oakland Speedway, and finished second.
8.
Bob Sweikert then quit automotive repair and became a full-time driver.
9.
Bob Sweikert gained his first racing sponsorship in July 1947, when he became a track roadster race driver for Hubbard Auto Parts of Oakland.
10.
Bob Sweikert ran seventy-two races that first BCRA season, finishing 14th out of 130 active members in the annual point standings.
11.
In January 1953, Bob Sweikert married his high school sweetheart, divorcee Dorie with her two children, with whom he had recently become reacquainted.
12.
Bob Sweikert drove in northern California that year and later in Los Angeles.
13.
Bob Sweikert entered at the 32nd starting position and ran for 77 laps in the McNamara Special car.
14.
On September 26,1953 Bob Sweikert won the Hoosier Hundred, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, a race which is chronicled by many as "the greatest race ever" run.
15.
In May 1956, at his final return to the Indianapolis 500, Bob Sweikert began in the 10th starting position and came in for a 6th-place finish, with the team's D-A Lubricant roadster.
16.
Bob Sweikert participated in five World Drivers' Championship races at Indianapolis.
17.
Bob Sweikert won once, and accumulated eight World Drivers' Championship points.
18.
Bob Sweikert was pronounced dead upon arrival at Washington County Hospital.
19.
Bob Sweikert is buried at Lone Tree Cemetery in Fairview, California.
20.
Bob Sweikert has been inducted into the following halls of fame:.