**Caution – Accident Images Contained** Fox began his career in midget cars, winning the 1979 Badger Midget championship, and the 1979 & 1980 Belleville Nationals, along with numerous other titles.
The Unfinished Story of Stan Fox: A Miracle Survivor Cut Short
Twenty-five years ago today, on December 18, 2000, the motorsport community mourned the sudden loss of Stan Fox, a gritty American racer whose life seemed scripted for Hollywood โ full of triumphs, a near-impossible survival, and an enigmatic ending that still leaves fans wondering “what if?”
Fox dominated the rough-and-tumble world of midget car racing in the late 1970s and early ’80s, claiming the prestigious Badger Midget championship in 1979 and back-to-back Belleville Nationals wins in 1979-1980. His raw talent on dirt ovals earned him a shot at the big leagues.
By 1984, he was in IndyCar, competing in eight Indianapolis 500s between 1984 and 1995. Highlights included a stunning 7th place in 1987 driving for A.J. Foyt and an 8th in 1991 with Hemelgarn Racing โ proving he could run up front at the Brickyard despite limited resources.
But 1995 changed everything. On the very first lap of the Indy 500, a multi-car incident unfolded in Turn 1. Fox’s Reynault-Hemelgarn entry tangled with Eddie Cheever, launching into the wall in a wreck so violent it became one of the most infamous in Speedway history. Miraculously, he survived severe injuries that left him in a coma for days, defying the odds in an era before modern safety advancements like the HANS device.
After months of recovery, Fox retired from driving but channeled his experience into something meaningful. He founded “Friends of the Fox”, a heartfelt organization that supports head injury survivors by bringing them to Indianapolis each May for VIP experiences with drivers โ a legacy of hope born from personal hardship.
Tragically, just five years after his Indy miracle, Fox was killed in a head-on road car collision near New Plymouth, New Zealand, while vacationing. He was only 48. The quiet warrior who beat death on the track couldn’t escape it on a quiet highway.
Stan Fox’s story remains a poignant reminder of motorsport’s fragility โ a man who conquered dirt, ovals, and catastrophe, only to leave us pondering the cruel twists of fate.
Rest in peace, Stan โ your spirit still races on.