William John Vukovich Jr.^[1] (March 29, 1944 – August 20, 2023) was an American driver in the championship car division of USAC and the CART series.

Career

Vukovich was named the 1968 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, a result of his seventh-place finish.^[2] Vukovich raced in the 1965–1982 seasons, with 158 combined career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1968–1977, 1979–1980. He finished in the top ten 85 times, with one victory in 1973 at Michigan. His best finish at the Indianapolis 500 came in 1973, where he finished second in a rain-shortened, tragedy-marred event.

Vukovich also had 23 National midget car victories in his career, and drove for part of his career in J. C. Agajanian's midget car.^[3]

Personal life and death

Bill Vukovich II was the son of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bill Vukovich and the father of Billy Vukovich III, both of whom were killed in racing accidents.

Vukovich and his wife, Joyce, were married for 60 years. Vukovich died on August 20, 2023, at the age of 79.^[4]

Award

• Vukovich was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1998.

Complete USAC Championship Car results

Complete PPG Indy Car Series results

Indianapolis 500 results