Mack Hellings

Mack Hellings (September 14, 1915 - November 11, 1951): Born Ronald N. Hellings in Fort Dodge, Iowa, this American racing driver built a reputation as one of the most promising talents in post-war American open-wheel racing. Hellings began his motorsport career on motorcycles before transitioning to midget car racing, where his natural talent quickly became evident. After relocating to California, he emerged as a force in midget competition, capturing the URABC Championship in 1947 and establishing himself as a driver to watch.

His success in midgets earned him opportunities in the AAA Championship Car series, where he competed against the best drivers in American motorsport. Hellings made four consecutive Indianapolis 500 starts from 1948 through 1951, demonstrating consistent competitiveness at the highest level. His breakthrough performance came in his Indianapolis debut in 1948, when he finished an impressive fifth place, showcasing the skill that made him a respected competitor. He returned to Indianapolis in 1949, 1950, and 1951, with the latter two races counting toward the FIA World Championship, making Hellings an official Formula One participant during this period when the Indianapolis 500 was part of the World Championship calendar.

Beyond Indianapolis, Hellings competed regularly in championship races across America, building a solid reputation in the tight-knit AAA racing community. His life was tragically cut short on November 11, 1951, when he was a passenger on a small private plane that took off in poor weather from Brackett Field airport in Pomona, California. The aircraft was bound for San Mateo, where Hellings was scheduled to race at Bay Meadows track. The wreckage and bodies of the four men aboard were discovered four days later at the 4,000-foot level in the Tehachapi Mountains in Kern County.

Hellings was just 36 years old, his promising career ended before it could reach its full potential.