Floyd Roberts

Floyd Marion Roberts (February 12, 1900 - May 30, 1939) was a Championship Car racing driver from Jamestown, North Dakota. He won the 1938 Indianapolis 500 with a then-record speed of 117.2 mph (188.6 km/h). He led for 92 laps. The following year, 1939, driving the same car, he was killed in a crash on the backstretch after hitting a wooden fence at 100 mph (160 km/h). Roberts was the first defending champion of the race to have been killed in competition. According to reports, Roberts intended to retire following the race.