“Gordon Johncock was known for his hard-charging, no-nonsense style of racing, and he left a lasting legacy on both Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR. While his 1973 Indianapolis 500 victory was overshadowed by tragedy, that race was an inflection point for safety, leading to a vital shift in track engineering and regulations. Gordon was unable to truly celebrate his first win, so that made his second win in 1982, following a thrilling duel with Rick Mears, all the more memorable. His victory is one of the iconic moments in the history of the Speedway. Remembered as much for his quiet life away from racing, Gordon left a lasting impact on the world of motorsports. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
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Gordon Johncock had lived to FIVE generations of the family at the time of his death. Think about it.
Stepdaughter Valerie Heffelblower is the CEO (and now official owner) of Johncock Forestry Products, which the family has owned since 2009.
Because of the tragic circumstances of the 1973 race, Johncock's official victory banquet for that win was held in April 2023 with surviving crew and family at a diner in Indianapolis. He brought his family -- including his great-grandchildren -- to be part of the bus and Gordon drove the tour bus for one final lap at the Speedway.
He married his wife Sue in 1990. All five of his children came from his first marriage -- Peggy, Patsy, Pamilee, Wally, and Gordon. Valerie Heffelbower and Traci Burnsed are Sue's children.
“that made his second win in 1982, following a thrilling duel with Rick Mears”
I was at that race. My one and only experience watching the Indy 500. I sat at the end of turn one.
I believe he won by less than a half of a car length.
However, the memory I have most from that race was the day/night before. We drove out from WNY and parked across from turn one in a Burger King parking lot for $75. Me, my best friend, his dad and their neighbor. I was 19.
An RV pulled into the parking lot right near us. About six or so young ladies got out. They were traveling with an older lady. We went over and said hello. They invited us in to play cards. After a short period of time my best friends Dad said; Boys lets go!
Later that afternoon/evening there was a line of men to get into that RV.
RIP
“natural causes”. Right. C’mon, admit it. The poor bloke died in a car accident. :)
Back in those days the 500 wasn't carried live. ABC recorded it, edited down to two hours, and showed the edited version at night ("same day coverage"). A few years later they extended the edit to three hours. The race wasn't carried live until 1986, when it was finally run six days after the scheduled date.
Anyway, back in '73 and still in school, so the Indianapolis 500 became for me the "official" kick-off to summer vacation. And summer 1973 was for me a magical and happy time. Somehow deep in my soul Gordon Johncock became a bellwether of a good and happy summer. 1982, the second year Johncock won, was also a wonderful year (though I was out of school by this time). After those two wins I always rooted for Johncock to win.
Of course he never did. And he retired from racing and now he's gone. And of course I am an old man now, and summer doesn't mean what it used to (especially since I'm disabled now and can't enjoy walks in the fields and thickets). Watching the Indy now is bittersweet in the extreme. And though he was never going to race again anyway, losing Gordon Johncock is a symbol that youth is gone, and, as John Mellencamp sang, "life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone."
Farewell old friend.
Those were the days. Too bad everything turned to spec racing in the early 2000s.