Chet Miller (July 19, 1902
Detroit, Michigan - May 15, 1953 Indianapolis, Indiana) was an American racecar driver. He was killed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during practice for the 1953 Indianapolis 500. During his long Indy career, Miller earned the nickname "Dean of the Speedway" .
Photo of Chet Miller's vehicle after his crash in the 1939 Indy 500
Indy 500 results
| Year
|
Car
|
Start
|
Qual
|
Rank
|
Finish
|
Laps
|
Led
|
Retired
|
| 1930
|
41
|
15
|
97.360
|
23
|
13
|
161
|
0
|
Flagged
|
| 1931
|
27
|
15
|
106.185
|
25
|
10
|
200
|
0
|
Running
|
| 1932
|
9
|
29
|
111.053
|
23
|
21
|
125
|
0
|
Engine
|
| 1933
|
28
|
32
|
112.025
|
23
|
20
|
163
|
0
|
Rod
|
| 1934
|
46
|
32
|
109.252
|
29
|
33
|
11
|
0
|
Crash T1
|
| 1935
|
34
|
17
|
113.552
|
24
|
10
|
200
|
0
|
Running
|
| 1936
|
18
|
3
|
117.675
|
3
|
5
|
200
|
0
|
Running
|
| 1937
|
7
|
13
|
119.213
|
13
|
30
|
36
|
0
|
Ignition
|
| 1938
|
3
|
5
|
121.898
|
9
|
3
|
200
|
0
|
Running
|
| 1939
|
3
|
5
|
126.318
|
8
|
21
|
109
|
0
|
Crash BS
|
| 1940
|
34
|
27
|
121.392
|
27
|
17
|
189
|
0
|
Flagged
|
| 1941
|
41
|
9
|
121.540
|
23
|
6
|
200
|
0
|
Running
|
| 1946
|
5
|
17
|
124.649
|
8
|
18
|
64
|
0
|
Oil line
|
| 1948
|
31
|
19
|
127.249
|
8
|
20
|
108
|
0
|
Oil trouble
|
| 1951
|
32
|
28
|
135.798
|
3
|
25
|
56
|
0
|
Ignition
|
| 1952
|
21
|
27
|
139.034
|
1
|
30
|
41
|
0
|
Supercharger
|
| Totals
|
2063
|
0
|
|
|
| Starts
|
16
|
| Poles
|
0
|
| Front Row
|
1
|
| Wins
|
0
|
| Top 5
|
2
|
| Top 10
|
5
|
| Retired
|
9
|
|
- Although Miller posted the fastest qualifying time for the 1952 Indianapolis 500, he started on the outside of the ninth row. No other fastest qualifier has started this far back in the field.
- Miller drove over 5,000 miles at Indianapolis without leading a lap, an all-time record.
World Championship career summary
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. Chet Miller participated in 2 World Championship races - the 1951 and 1952 Indianapolis 500. He retired from both races, therefore scoring no championship points.
