Auto Race Car Driver. A native of Tuczon, Arizona, he was an 18-race veteran of the Indianapolis 500 and led the race on several occasions. After earning his first Indianapolis 500 start in 1961, his best overall finish at the 500 was third place in 1973. He earned other "Top Ten" finishes including fifth place in 1975, eighth place in 1977 and ninth place in 1971. He won the 1963 and 1966 USAC Sprint Car titles and the 1969 and 1970 USAC Stock Car titles. He also won the 1973 USAC "big car" championship title and the 1972 California 500. He recorded a total of 23 career victories in both USAC Stock Cars and Sprints. After retiring from competition, McCluskey served as an official for the United States Auto Club from 1979 until his death from cancer. During his tenure, he created the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Rookie Orientation Program. A resident of Indianapolis at the time of his death, he was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1996. He was cremated at the Flanner-Buchanan Mortuary in Zionsville, Indiana, and his ashes were given to his family.
Auto Race Car Driver. A native of Tuczon, Arizona, he was an 18-race veteran of the Indianapolis 500 and led the race on several occasions. After earning his first Indianapolis 500 start in 1961, his best overall finish at the 500 was third place in 1973. He earned other "Top Ten" finishes including fifth place in 1975, eighth place in 1977 and ninth place in 1971. He won the 1963 and 1966 USAC Sprint Car titles and the 1969 and 1970 USAC Stock Car titles. He also won the 1973 USAC "big car" championship title and the 1972 California 500. He recorded a total of 23 career victories in both USAC Stock Cars and Sprints. After retiring from competition, McCluskey served as an official for the United States Auto Club from 1979 until his death from cancer. During his tenure, he created the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Rookie Orientation Program. A resident of Indianapolis at the time of his death, he was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1996. He was cremated at the Flanner-Buchanan Mortuary in Zionsville, Indiana, and his ashes were given to his family.
Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett
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