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Bob Swanson
By Gregg Leary
Category:Auto Racing
Chris Economaki considers him the “finest racing driver America ever produced.”
At Roosevelt Raceway in 1936, Swanson drove a stretched-midget in a revival of the Vanderbilt Cup. Famous international star, Tazio Nuvolari won the race and told Swanson he was “the finest driver he had ever competed against.” Swanson ran the Indianapolis 500 in 1937 and 1939 but had mechanical problems. In 1940 he started 20th, but finished 6th. It opened many eyes that midget racers could cut it at Indy. Unfortunately, Swanson was killed 6-14-40 at Toledo, OH while driving a midget.