As I start this post on Bill Holland I feel I’ve already learned a fair amount about him from my previous posts. Holland was the fastest qualifier in 1947 and runner up in both 1947 and 1948. He was a teammate of Mauri Rose, driving the Blue Crown Spark Plug Special for Lou Moore. I’ve been looking forward to learning his story and his 500 win.
When you think of the Indianapolis 500 in the 1940’s and 50’s one of the first names that comes to mind is Bill Vukovich. I look forward to doing my post on Vukovich in a couple weeks but I think Bill Holland should also be a name that quickly comes to mind as someone who dominated during that time too. Holland was runner up in 1947, 1948 and 1950. He won the race in 1949. In this era car problems would usually catch up with you eventually. I think it is impressive that Holland had such a streak of high finishes. Of course we know that at the Indianapolis 500 first place is all that really matters. Holland was furious when he allowed Mauri Rose to pass for the win in 1947, thinking that Rose had been down a lap. I’m sure second place again in 1948 had a sting to it. 1949 was the year Bill Holland got his win.
Bill Holland was born in 1907 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His dad was a professional baseball player. Bill was an excellent skater and tried out for the 1932 Olympics. Holland won his first car race in 1938 in Mineola, New York. In 1947 he was a rookie at Indianapolis. Holland was the fastest qualifier in ‘47 but was not the pole winner. He finished second in the race to Mauri Rose after some confusion as to which lap Rose was on. Holland believed that Rose was a full lap behind and allowed Rose to pass and even waved at him as he did. As stated, Holland finished second behind Rose again in 1948, although this time without controversy.
In 1949, Holland was again driving for Lou Moore in the Blue Crown Spark Plug Special. Duke Nalon started from the pole and Holland started in fourth position. Nalon dominated the first 25 laps but a rear axle broke and the right rear tire came off. Nalon hit the wall and his car erupted in fire. The car slide backwards several yards with a line of fuel and flames coming from the car. It was all caught on camera. Nalon climbed out from the car but suffered from burns, he would return to racing the following year.
Rex Mays took over the lead but briefly until his engine failed and Lee Wallard took over the lead. It was not to last long though, Wallard pulled out on lap 55 with gear problems. Bill Holland became the race leader.
Late in the race irony struck when Holland was leading and Mauri Rose was running second, about 45 seconds behind Holland. The EZY sign came out as it did in the 1947 race. Holland listened but was more protective of his position than he had been in the 1947 race. Rose continued to push hard. With less that 8 laps to go, Rose had an electrical failure and pulled to the infield grass. Rose would finish 13th. Owner, Lou Moore, was furious that Rose did not listen and slow down. Moore was adamant that Rose would not have had the failure had he slowed down. Rose was furious that the car could not be pushed hard for 8 more laps. A shouting match ensued and the two split ways. Holland led for 146 laps and won the race. In Victory Lane, Holland shook actor Clark Gable’s hand and received a kiss from actress Linda Darnell.
“After finishing second the last two years, I didn’t think I was ever meant to win at Indy. I’ll never forget this moment.” – Bill Holland
Holland was again runner up in 1950. In 1951 Bill Holland was suspended from racing for a year for racing in a NASCAR charity event in Florida. At the time the American Automobile Association (AAA) had strict rules against racing in any other form. He argued against the ruling and was suspended for a second year. He returned to the Indianapolis 500 in 1953 and finished in 15th position.
After racing, Holland and his wife, Myra, ran several skating rinks. In November, 1983 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and died on May 20, 1984. He was 76 years old.
Next week we will look at the 1950 race and winner Johnnie Parsons. Thank you for reading. I hope you are enjoying this series on the 1946-1956 winners.
ikissedthebricks 