P1racenews AI automatic summary:
For a long time, Indy car racing’s most hated player was Rodger Ward, a.k.a. Rodger the Dodger. Ward had earned the hateful alias because of triggering, but somehow avoiding involvement in, two of …
Rodger Ward, also known as Rodger the Dodger, was once considered the most despised figure in Indy car racing due to his association with two tragic accidents in the 1950s, where he miraculously escaped without direct blame. The first incident occurred in Du Quoin, Illinois, where Ward’s car collided with another, causing him to flip and fatally strike Clay Smith, a respected mechanic. The second accident took the life of Bill Vukovich, a legendary driver, after a collision involving Ward’s car. Ward’s reputation suffered greatly following these events, leading to him being shunned by the racing community. Fortunately, with the help of Herb Porter and A.J. Watson, Ward was able to revive his career and went on to achieve significant success in Indy car racing, ultimately shedding his negative nickname.