Bill Homeier

Bill Homeier (31 August 1918, Rock Island, Texas - 5 May 2001, Houston, Texas) was an American racing driver whose career spanned midget cars, sprint cars, and championship racing. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy but received a medical discharge after suffering uncontrolled nosebleeds. After the war, he discovered auto racing and began driving midgets in Texas starting in 1946. Homeier achieved significant success in midget racing, finishing second in the national point standings in 1953 and winning 12 AAA/USAC national midget races, including a prestigious 100-lap victory at the challenging Langhorne track in 1958.

He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series during the 1953-1955 and 1958-1960 seasons, with 14 starts including the 1954 and 1960 Indianapolis 500 races. His Indianapolis 500 career was marked by both disappointment and perseverance. In 1953, Homeier passed his rookie test but did not make a qualifying attempt. In 1954, he qualified for his first Indianapolis start driving the Jones & Maley Special.

During a pit stop, his foot accidentally slipped off the clutch, causing the car to lunge into the pit wall with sufficient damage to end his race after 75 laps, making him the last-place finisher who has driven the most laps before retiring in Indianapolis 500 history. In 1960, Homeier qualified for his second and final Indianapolis 500, starting 31st in the Ridgewood Builders Special and finishing 13th. He finished in the top ten five times in Championship Car racing, with his best finish of fifth position coming in 1959 at Sacramento. These Indianapolis 500 appearances counted toward the Formula One World Championship, as the race was part of the F1 calendar from 1950-1960, giving Homeier six F1 championship race credits.