A statement from Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles about two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and 1976 INDYCAR SERIES champion Gordon Johncock, who died Monday, Sept. 28 in South Branch, Michigan, at age 90:

“Gordon Johncock was known for his hard-charging, no-nonsense style of racing, and he left a lasting legacy on both Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR. While his 1973 Indianapolis 500 victory was overshadowed by tragedy, that race was an inflection point for safety, leading to a vital shift in track engineering and regulations. Gordon was unable to truly celebrate his first win, so that made his second win in 1982, following a thrilling duel with Rick Mears, all the more memorable. His victory is one of the iconic moments in the history of the Speedway. Remembered as much for his quiet life away from racing, Gordon left a lasting impact on the world of motorsports. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”