Willard Prentiss

10/12/1897 - 6/10/1959

Record updated 10-Dec-18

Willard Prentiss competed in various races across the United States in the 1920s, including the Indy 500 and races at Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Sterling, Illinois.

Willard Prentiss
Born in Denver, Colorado, Willard Prentiss competed in various races across the United States in the 1920s, 

As well as two appearances in the Indianapolis 500, Prentiss competed at Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Sterling, Illinois.

On October 23, 1927 he won the 10 Mile Race at the Fall Speed Classic Auto Races at Oakley, Kansas. In the 25 mile race he ran the last three laps with a flat rear tire but still managed to finish second. He returned in 1928 finishing in joint second place in the one mile time trial and third in the 15 mile race.

In 1930, Prentiss was leading a race at the Arizona State Fair when his car went through a fence and he sustained serious injuries from which he recovered.

1933 saw Prentiss racing in the Indianapolis 500, driving a Rigling-Duesenberg car owned by Jack Carr. He finished on the lead lap in 13th place, and won $450 in prize money.

In 1934, he tried to qualify two different cars for the Indianapolis “500”, the “G & D” Hudson and the Wehr Rotary Valve Special, but failed to qualify in either for the race. 

He is buried in the Fort Logan National Cemetery at Denver, Colorado



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