Former Indy Steward Binford Dies

Tom Binford, chief steward of the Indianapolis 500 for 22 years, died Thursday in his native Indianapolis after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage.

Binford, 74, who had been president of the U.S. Auto Club from 1957 to 1969, was widely credited with restoring credibility to the Indianapolis 500 after the rain-delayed, rain-shortened 1973 race. Two drivers and a crewman were killed, 11 spectators were injured, and the victory ceremony and banquet were canceled.

Binford was named chief steward for the 1974 race and held that position through 1995. When the Indy Racing League was formed in 1996, he was named commissioner.

In the 1995 Indy 500, Binford’s final race as chief steward, he disqualified Scott Goodyear, the first driver to finish, giving the victory to Jacques Villeneuve after Goodyear had passed the pace car during a caution period.

“Tom Binford has been recognized as one of racing’s most highly respected leaders for four decades,” Tony George, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president, said in a statement.