George Amick

George Reggie 'Little George' Amick (24 October 1924 - 4 April 1959): American racing driver from Vernonia, Oregon, who competed in American National Championship racing (USAC) during the 1950s. Participated in the Indianapolis 500 in 1957 and 1958, which counted toward the Formula One World Championship during that era (1950-1960). Failed to qualify for the 1957 Indianapolis 500, unable to make the 33-car starting field. Returned to Indianapolis in 1958 with dramatically improved results, qualifying for the race and finishing second behind winner Jimmy Bryan, earning him the 1958 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award—a remarkable achievement for a driver making his first Indy start at age 33.

His runner-up finish at the 1958 Indy 500 represented his best Formula One World Championship result and remains one of the most impressive rookie performances in Indianapolis history. Won three USAC Championship races during his career across 43 starts on the national championship trail, demonstrating consistent competitiveness on American oval tracks. Established himself as one of America's premier oval track specialists during the late 1950s. Tragically killed on 4 April 1959 during a USAC 100-mile championship race at Daytona International Speedway, the day before the first Daytona 500.

Won the pole position for the event at a speed of 176.818 mph, narrowly missing the closed-course record of 176.9 mph set by Tony Bettenhausen at Monza in 1957, showcasing the speed of American championship cars. Leading the race on the final lap, was involved in a fatal accident, dying from injuries sustained in the crash at age 34. His death at Daytona came in the only USAC Indy Car race ever run at Daytona International Speedway, making the event tragically historic.

Amick's fatal crash highlighted the dangers of high-speed oval racing during the 1950s when safety standards were primitive. Remembered as a talented American oval track specialist whose career was cut short just as he was reaching his peak, robbing USAC racing of a championship contender.