Cal Niday

Cal Niday (April 29, 1914 in Turlock, California – February 14, 1988 in Lancaster, California) was an American racecar driver. He lost his leg in a motorcycle accident after high school, but it did not affect his race car driving career. Cal is also noted as the first racer to wear a modern style Bell helmet in the Indy 500.[1] Niday is one of three drivers to have participated in the Indianapolis 500 with a prosthetic leg.[2] The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. During his racing career, Niday travelled to Australia to race Midgets (known as Speedcars in Australia). In 1948 Niday won the 3rd running of the Australian Speedcar Grand Prix at the famous Sydney Showground Speedway. Cal Niday participated in three World Championship races but scored no World Championship points. He was killed by a heart-attack after being thrown from a vintage open wheeler at Willow Springs raceway.

Cal Niday
Born(1914-04-29)April 29, 1914
DiedFebruary 14, 1988(1988-02-14) (aged 73)
Formula One World Championship career
NationalityUnited States American
Active years1953–1955
TeamsKurtis Kraft, Stevens
Entries3
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points0
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1953 Indianapolis 500
Last entry1955 Indianapolis 500

Indianapolis 500 results
Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired
1953 9930136.0961830300Magneto
1954 2413139.8282102000Running
1955 229140.3024161700Crash T4
Totals4000
Starts 3
Poles 0
Front Row 0
Wins 0
Top 5 0
Top 10 1
Retired 2

References
  1. Bagnall, Art (June 1990). Roy Richter.
  2. "The Talk of Gasoline Alley", WIBC, May 13, 2003


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