Cliff Woodbury

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Clifford Ray Woodbury (July 8, 1894 – November 13, 1984) was an American race car driver who competed across the United States in the sport’s early, dangerous days. Born near Chicago, he began racing around 1915 in Midwest state fairs in a Duesenberg, often winning prizes of more than $500. In 1921–22 he worked with Ruth Law Oliver’s Flying Circus, a show that paired a race car with a biplane and featured daring stunts. He became a local hero at Chicago tracks and was frequently pictured with his Fronty Ford. The AAA named him Dirt Tack Champion of the Nation in 1924, 1925 and 1926. In 1926 he joined Boyle Valve Racing Team, driving supercharged Miller cars on board tracks. He finished third in his first Indianapolis 500 in 1926 and earned the pole position in 1929. He also set a one-mile record at Daytona Beach in 1930, reaching 180.90 mph.

Woodbury’s Champ Car career included 37 races over four years, with two wins (first win: 1928 International Motor Classic at Rockingham Park; last win: 1929 Detroit 100), ten podiums and five poles; his best finish was 5th in 1929. He retired after a severe wreck in Altoona, Pennsylvania in June 1929 that killed the 1929 Indy 500 winner Ray Keech. After retiring, he and his brother Elmer started Woodbury Bros, an auto repair business in Chicago. Cliff Woodbury died in 1984 in Alton, Illinois.