1. John Donald Aitken was an American racing driver from Indianapolis, who was active in the years prior to World War I Aitken competed in the Indianapolis 500 three times.
15 Facts About Johnny Aitken
1. 2.
Johnny Aitken started the race twice, in 1911 and 1916.
3.
Johnny Aitken led the first lap of the first race.
4.
Johnny Aitken started the race twice, in 1911 and 1916.
5.
Johnny Aitken led the first lap of the first race.
6.
Johnny Aitken captured the pole position in 1916, but ended up in 15th place that year.
7.
Johnny Aitken won a total of 15 races at IMS, the most of any driver in the 100-year history of the track.
8.
Johnny Aitken won all three races which comprised the Harvest Auto Racing Classic, in September 1916.
9.
Johnny Aitken started a total of 41 races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is, again, the most of any driver in the track's history.
10.
Johnny Aitken won seven of these races, including the 1916 1st International Sweepstakes race, the 1916 Astor Cup Race, and the 1916 Harkness Trophy Race.
11.
Johnny Aitken is credited as co-winner of the American Grand Prize, which was held at the Santa Monica Road Race Course on Nov 18,1916.
12.
Johnny Aitken started the race, but was the first driver to drop out, when his car suffered a broken piston after one lap.
13.
Johnny Aitken drove that car for the remainder of the race, completing 28 of the total 48 laps, finishing first.
14.
Johnny Aitken, therefore, was credited with both first and last place.
15.
Johnny Aitken died on October 15,1918, of bronchopneumonia from the Influenza pandemic of 1918.