Shaw, Wilbur

Wilbur Shaw, in full Warren Wilbur Shaw, (born Oct. 31, 1902, near Indianapolis, Ind., U.S.—died Oct. 30, 1954, near Peterson, Ind.), American automobile-racing driver who won the Indianapolis 500 three times—1937, 1939, and 1940—and was president of the Indianapolis Speedway (1945–54). He first entered the Memorial Day classic in 1927, when he finished fourth. He placed second in the race in 1933, 1935, and 1938. Shaw retired from racing in 1941. He was killed in an airplane crash.