Jerry Miller (driver)
Encyclopedia
Jerry Wayne Miller was an American
racing driver from Salem, Indiana
who excelled at sprint car racing and made a 3 year foray into Championship Car.
One of the top sprint car racers in the midwest, Miller attempted to complete rookie orientation for the Indianapolis 500
in 1979
but failed to do so. Later that year he competed in his first Champ Car race, a USAC event at the Milwaukee Mile
and finished 9th in a field weakened by the founding of the rival CART
series that year. His single appearance was enough to earn him 25th place in the USAC National Championship. In 1980 Miller made his only CART start, a 14th place in the season-ender at Phoenix International Raceway
. In 1981 he brought the same Chevrolet
powered King chassis back to Indianapolis to attempt to qualify for the "500" again. He completed rookie orientation that time, but failed to make the field. As the USAC/CART split continued that year, Miller made two more champ car starts, this time on the dirt oval
events that had become a part of the USAC "Gold Crown" Championship, with finishes of 9th and 19th.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
racing driver from Salem, Indiana
Salem, Indiana
Salem is a city in Washington Township, Washington County, Indiana, United States. Salem serves as the county seat, and its downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places...
who excelled at sprint car racing and made a 3 year foray into Championship Car.
One of the top sprint car racers in the midwest, Miller attempted to complete rookie orientation for the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
in 1979
1979 Indianapolis 500
The 1979 Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 27, 1979.The month was filled with controversy on and off the track. A court injunction was issued after USAC denied entries by the start-up CART series. During time trials, several cars were disqualified due to illegal wastegate...
but failed to do so. Later that year he competed in his first Champ Car race, a USAC event at the Milwaukee Mile
Milwaukee Mile
The Milwaukee Mile is a -long oval race track in West Allis, Wisconsin that seats about 40,000 spectators. It operated as a dirt track until 1953. The track was paved in 1954....
and finished 9th in a field weakened by the founding of the rival CART
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
series that year. His single appearance was enough to earn him 25th place in the USAC National Championship. In 1980 Miller made his only CART start, a 14th place in the season-ender at Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix International Raceway, also known as PIR, is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. The track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually. PIR has also hosted the Indycar Series, CART, USAC and the Rolex Sports Car Series...
. In 1981 he brought the same Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
powered King chassis back to Indianapolis to attempt to qualify for the "500" again. He completed rookie orientation that time, but failed to make the field. As the USAC/CART split continued that year, Miller made two more champ car starts, this time on the dirt oval
Dirt track racing
Dirt track racing is a type of auto racing performed on oval tracks. It began in the United States before World War I and became widespread during the 1920s and 30s. Two different types of racecars predominated—open wheel racers in the Northeast and West and stock cars in the South...
events that had become a part of the USAC "Gold Crown" Championship, with finishes of 9th and 19th.