Almost 60 years after his death, Ted Horn remains one of the most revered racing drivers in the history of American auto racing.
Horn was born in Ohio in 1910, but his family later settled in Los Angeles. Getting into racing at San Jose Speedway, it was Legion Ascot Speedway where Horn really got up to speed.
Starting in midgets and big cars on the West Coast, Horn eventually began traveling the country and won the AAA national championship in 1946, 1947 and 1948.
Horn went on to drive in 10 Indianapolis 500s. He never won, but after finishing 16th as a rookie in 1935, he finished fourth or better the next nine years.
Horn died from injuries suffered in a crash at the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds on Oct. 10, 1948. He was 38 years old.
Featured here (clockwise from top left): Standing (second from left) with Levie Tomei, Merrk Williams, George Robson and Ross Snowberger; Cutting through the infield at HoHoKus Speedway in 1935; As a rookie at Indianapolis in 1935; Behind the wheel of the Gilmore Special; At Indy in 1948; Ready to race; Posing with his car. — NSSN Archives