11 Facts About Earl Cooper

Earl Phillips Cooper was an American racing driver.

Earl Cooper won the race, but lost his job as a mechanic after he beat one of his bosses, so he became a full-time racer.

Earl Cooper got another late start in 1916 after Stutz pulled out of racing, and he finished fifth in the championship.

Earl Cooper won his third title in 1917 when the season was shortened by the outbreak of World War I, after which Cooper officially retired from full-time racing.

Earl Cooper returned to replace Joe Thomas who broke his arm in October 1921, and won a 200-mile race at Fresno.

Earl Cooper returned to racing full-time in 1922, and won five races in 1923.

Earl Cooper raced in the 1924 Indianapolis 500, and was leading after 400 miles.

Earl Cooper returned second, and worked his way back to the lead with 30 miles left in the race.

Earl Cooper blew another tire just as he was passing Joe Boyer, and the pit stop forced him to settle for second.

Earl Cooper started at Indy in 1925, and won the pole in his final Indy 500 in 1926.

Earl Cooper was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2001.