Jud Larson

Eugene Wesley 'Jud' Larson (21 January 1923 - 11 June 1966): American racecar driver from Grand Prairie, Texas who was largely based in Austin. Larson was a gifted cartoonist but never really made a career of it, preferring to race instead. Larson drove in the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1956-1959 and 1964-1965 seasons with 53 starts including the 1958 and 1959 Indianapolis 500 races, finishing in the top ten 38 times with 7 victories. His best finish was 8th place at the 1958 Indianapolis 500.

According to a detailed account, Jud drove down through the grass and out of trouble and finished the race in a very creditable eighth place and, after adding wins at Atlanta and Phoenix, ended the '58 season in fourth place in the championship standings. The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960, and drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Jud Larson participated in 2 World Championship races but scored no World Championship points. The doctor in the infield medical center said heart attack and USAC said his racing days were finished.

However, at his own expense he made trips to both the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic and was given a clean bill of health by both places, being allowed to return to racing. Larson died on 11 June 1966 as a result of injuries sustained in a sprint car crash at the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway in Berks County, Pennsylvania that also claimed the life of Red Riegel.