Willard Prentiss

Willard Cable Prentiss (10 December 1897 – 1 October 1959) was an American racecar driver. He was born in Denver, Colorado.[1]

As well as two appearances in the Indianapolis 500, Prentiss competed in various races across the United States in the 1920s, including races at Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Sterling, Illinois.[1]

In 1927, Prentiss competed in the Annual Fall Auto Races at Oakley, Kansas.[2] A win in the ten mile (16 km) race was followed up by second place in the 25-mile (40 km) race, despite having a flat tire for the last three laps.[2] He competed there again in 1928,[3] taking joint second place in the one mile (1.6 km) time trial and third place in the 15-mile (24 km) race.[3]

In 1930, Prentiss was leading a race at the Arizona State Fair, Phoenix, Arizona when his car went through a fence and he sustained serious injuries.[4]

1933 saw Prentiss racing in the Indianapolis 500, driving a Rigling-Duesenberg car owned by Jack Carr.[5] He finished on the lead lap in 13th place, and won $450 in prize money.[5] In 1934, he entered the Indianapolis 500 again. He practiced with two cars, but was not fast enough in qualification to be able to start the race.[6]