Gordon Johncock, Two-Time Indianapolis 500 Winner, Dies at 90
Gordon Johncock died of natural causes Sept. 28, 2026, at his home in South Branch, Michigan. The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and 1976 INDYCAR SERIES champion won 25 series races and was 90.
Gordon Johncock died of natural causes Sept. 28, 2026, at his home in South Branch, Michigan, the INDYCAR release reports. Born Aug. 5, 1936, in Hastings, Michigan, Johncock was the 1976 INDYCAR SERIES national champion, won 25 series races and twice won the Indianapolis 500.
The obituary highlights two signature '500' victories: a rain-shortened 1973 win and a dramatic 1982 duel with Rick Mears decided by a then-record 0.16-second margin. Johncock made 262 INDYCAR SERIES starts over 25 seasons, recorded 24 Indianapolis 500 starts (tied for fifth all time) and led 339 Indy 500 laps (15th all time).
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