Leon “Jigger” Sirois, Indy 500 folk hero, dies at 91

Leon Duray “Jigger” Sirois died Sept. 23, 2026, at age 91, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway reported Sept. 24, 2026. Sirois drew first in line on Pole Day, May 17, 1969, in the No. 14 Gerhardt-Offenhauser; his crew waved off the final lap of a late-afternoon attempt with his first three laps running about 160–162 mph, and ensuing rain ended track activity for the weekend. That near-miss became a lasting part of Indianapolis 500 folklore.

Sirois attempted to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 every year from 1969–75 but made no starts. He raced in USAC Champ Car competition—making 10 starts with a best finish of fifth at Phoenix in 1969—and enjoyed notable success in midget racing, winning four championships in 1961 (including the UARA title). He was inducted into the National Midget Racing Hall of Fame in 2013. The American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association created the annual “Jigger Award” in 1969 to honor hard-luck qualifiers; Sirois was its first recipient. The article also notes his longtime engagement with fans at IMS, his family ties to the sport through his father Earl “Frenchy” Sirois, and his public work promoting awareness of stuttering after receiving speech therapy in his mid-60s.

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