The possibility of drivers dying by suicide on the track has long been acknowledged, sometimes alleged, but seldom proven. It remains a forbidden topic, because drivers are unwilling to admit any weakness, much less depression. The case of Pete Kreis, however, offers an opportunity to examine a case which resulted in two purposeful deaths at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Pete raced at Indy from 1925 to 1934, when he and his riding mechanic died in Turn One. A “coroners’ jury” of Indy drivers, track officials, and other experts could not identify any obvious cause for the accident, calling it “the strangest death in all racing history.” After 50 years of research, Walker reached the conclusion that Pete took his own life. The results of his investigation were published in The Last Lap: The Mysterious Demise of Pete Kreis in the Indianapolis 500 (Octane Press, 2023).
This episode is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family – and was recorded in front of a live studio audience. And has been Edited, Remastered and Produced in partnership with the Motoring Podcast Network.
Bio
A long-time fan of open-wheel racing, William T. Walker Jr. was introduced to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500 by the broadcasts of Sid Collins. He grew fascinated by the careers of his cousins Pete Kreis and Rex Mays, both Indy drivers. He earned his BA and MA from the University of Virginia. After teaching at Lamar University and the University of New Orleans, he served as associate vice president at Virginia Tech, Gettysburg College, and William & Mary.
Since retiring, Walker has returned to an enduring love — researching and writing narrative history books. His first book was Betrayal at Little Gibraltar, a study of a World War I battle published by Scribner in 2016, followed by The Last Lap, the story of the fast lap and strange death of Pete Kreis. He lives in Staunton, VA.
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