Labor Day at Lakewood Speedway, 1946
George Robson of Britain.
George "Tex" Barringer of Texas.
By Mike Bell
Posted in Feature Stories 8/27/09
In the March 2005 issue of Vintage Oval Racing magazine, there was an article on George Barringer written by Bill Barringer, his son. It contained information about George’s career and Indy racing. We contacted the magazine about getting in touch with Mr. Barringer for more information on his dad.
George “Tex” Barringer died along with the 1946 Indy 500 winner, George Robson, in an accident at Atlanta’s Lakewood Speedway on September 2, 1946.
The Indianapolis track had re-opened only months prior to the Lakewood event. After four years of war, IMS owner Eddie Rickenbacker had other ventures to pursue. Three time “500” champ Wilbur Shaw didn’t want a post-war housing development to raze the track, so he was able to talk Tony Hulman into saving the speedway.
Months of hard work on the neglected facility succeeded, and on May 30, 1946, Tony and Wilbur pulled off the 30th Indianapolis 500. British native George Robson held off Jimmy Jackson with a depleted field of only nine cars still running at the end.