Roy Russing

16/8/1910 - 21/4/1946

Record updated 15-Aug-06

One of the top drivers on the West Cost, Russing won over 40 midget features during his career

On March 1, 1936 a sizable earthquake struck the Los Angeles area. That night Roy Russing won the 200 lap season opener at the famous Gilmore Stadium before 12,000 fans. Russing won four more features that season before the track was cut from a 1/5 mile surface to a 1/4 mile.

One of the top drivers on the West Cost, Russing won over 40 midget features during his career and compiled a record of 19 at Gilmore. Included in the Gilmore record was the 1940 and 1941 Turkey Night Grand Prix 150 lap races.

Roy also won the Pacific Coast Championship in 1940 and ’41 and drove for such owners as Barry Snyder, Don Lee and Danny Hogan.

Russing purchased the first Kurtis Kraft Offy when it was completed in March of 1946. The teal #75 would become famous as the first Kurtis, but not with Roy Russing as the driver. On April 7 and April 14th of 1946 Roy drove the car in competition at Stockton, California. The next week while driving Bud Rose’s car Roy was killed in a practice crash.

Roy’s widow, Jo, continued to run the car with Gordon Cleveland as the driver.



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