Barringer, George
The late George Barringer and the Gulf-Miller in the pits at Indianapolis in 1941. The car's fuel tanks had been moved inside stainless steel protective bulkheads.
Name/Title
Barringer, GeorgeEntry/Object ID
2025.1.43Description
George William Barringer was born May 10, 1906, in Cleburne, Texas. He became active in American open‑wheel racing during the 1930s and 1940s, entering seventeen AAA Championship Car events. His best results were a second‑place finish at Springfield in 1935 and another strong run at Milwaukee in 1939. Barringer was known for his interest in new technology, most notably when he brought a rear‑engined Miller–Gulf car to the 1941 Indianapolis 500, an unusual and forward‑thinking design for its time. The car never made the starting field because a garage fire destroyed it before qualifying. Barringer died September 2, 1946, in Atlanta, Georgia, following a multicar crash at Lakewood Speedway. The accident also killed George Robson, the 1946 Indianapolis 500 winner. Barringer’s career showed promise, but mechanical failures, accidents, and the interruption of World War II limited his overall record. Even without major victories, he earned respect for his persistence and his willingness to experiment with new ideas in American racing.Collection
Dr. Frederick A. Simeone Founder CollectionCategory
Race Car Drivers