Jackie Holmes

Jackie Holmes (4 September 1920 - 1 March 1995): Born Marion Holmes in Indianapolis, Indiana, Jackie Holmes was an American racing driver who grew up near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, an experience that fired his enthusiasm for motorsport from an early age. Living in the shadow of the famous Brickyard inspired Holmes to pursue a career in racing, though he would face challenges in establishing himself at the highest level. Holmes made his Indianapolis 500 debut in 1949 as a rookie driver, qualifying the unique six-wheeled Pat Clancy Special at 128.087 mph.

The experimental car showed promise, with Holmes completing 65 laps before being forced to retire due to a drive shaft fault, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what might have been with more reliable machinery. Holmes participated in four Indianapolis 500 races between 1950 and 1953. However, his career at Indianapolis was marked by difficulty in qualifying. He only successfully qualified for the 1950 Indianapolis 500, failing to make the field in other attempts.

In 1953, he shared a drive with two other drivers, highlighting the era's practice of driver changes during the grueling 500-mile race. As an AAA racer from 1947 to 1953, Holmes competed during a period when the Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship (1950-1960), meaning drivers competing at Indianapolis during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Holmes participated in two World Championship races but scored no points, reflecting the competitive difficulty of the era. Beyond Indianapolis, Holmes lived near the Speedway as a boy and later ran a TV and electrical shop in Indianapolis after his racing career concluded.

This business allowed him to remain in his hometown and stay connected to the racing community, even after his competitive days ended. Holmes remained involved in the motorsport community throughout his life, maintaining friendships with fellow racers and attending racing events. Jackie Holmes passed away on 1 March 1995 at the age of 74, remembered as a local Indianapolis racer who pursued his childhood dream of competing at the Brickyard, even if ultimate success eluded him.