Long-time resident of Upper Providence, earned a degree in engineering at Brown University and worked as mechanical engineer while competing in amateur auto races.
1966: Wins first professional race.
1967: Becomes manager of Roger Penske Racing Enterprises and is U.S Road Racing champion.
1972: Wins Indianapolis 500, averaging 163.465 miles per hour to break previous record by 6 mph. Five weeks later, suffers serious injuries in Cam-Am Series race in Gainsville, Georgia.
1973: Named Most Courageous Athlete by Philadelphia Sports Writers Association.
1974: Retires from racing after winning International Race of Champions, his 57th major victory, but comes out of retirement to take part in Grand Prix racing.
1975: Suffers fatal injury at age of 38 in practice for Austrian Grand Prix.