RACER: Robin Miller's Tough Guy Series on Jud Larson

Big, brash and bold -- that was Jud Larson, whose prowess on dirt tracks made him a legend during his decade in USAC.
In 1956, Larson got a call from John Zink and was offered Indy winner Pat Flaherty's ride at the Hoosier Hundred after Flaherty had been badly injured at Springfield.
Despite having never driven a USAC champ dirt car on the mile, Larson captured the pole position and led the race until a broken shock absorber slowed him and he ran fourth. In his next outing, the 6-1, 185-pound Texas native won the pole and the race at Sacramento and was on his way. After winning the prestigious Hoosier Hundred in 1957, Larson was given an Indy 500 ride by Zink and he finished ninth in 1958. He also qualified in 1959.
He suffered a heatstroke at Springfield in '59 but it was mis-diagnosed as a heart attack and it took him four years to get back into USAC.
While he never made Indy again, Jud's calling was the dirt and he was hell on wheels in sprinters -- winning 16 main events -- in addition earning five big car victories.
He was 43 and leading the USAC sprint standing when he tangled with Red Riegel in June of 1966 at Reading, Pa. and both drivers perished.
But to this day, A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti rank Larson as one of the best they ever saw -- or raced against -- on dirt.

[@cskarasavon]

That’s my uncle Jud! ❤ thank you for the awesome video! He was a pretty crazy fun guy! The stories my dad would tell about his older brother were absolutely the best! Thanks for posting this. God bless! ❤️❤️

[@HODIUSDUDE]

Love this series. Lots of great drivers that never had success at Indy. Jud was one of them.

[@tsf5-productions]

Now , here's one of the "tough guys" I did not know about beyond that he did Indy & the U.S.A.C. Sprints...and did well in the dirt cars. The "Hoosier Hundred" was, and I presume it is still running in Septembers, a race that led to bigger things when a driver won the event. Nice to know that Jud was one of the many winners there. 1966...for me, personally, one of my favorite teen years of my life (Hey! I still love you, Loretta even after all those years) but...tragic for Mr. Larson, let alone driver Red Riegel. Don Branson was another. Robin...I see you are feeling like your old self [Shoot! better watch my words...Robin and I should be literally the same age.] Good to see you back.

[@jimparker7778]

Love those old John Sawyer write-ups on Jud Larson.

[@SLArmstrong]

It's so nice to see you again Robin. I read a great series on Jud Larson in Sprint Car and Midget magazine several years ago.

[@lawrencejarendt1980]

1:14 made me instantly Love this ToughGuy Jud Larsen (I had zero knowledge of before watching this) Thanks Robin!!

[@timfarmer648]

Love it. 🤠👍

[@stymiesnerdly771]

Love it! Thanks for doing these vids Robin. An American version of Donald Davidson, keeping the history alive!

[@ka5dwi]

He is buried at the same cemetery my parents and sister are buried in Pflugerville TX. Enjoyed Robin.

[@24fnap]

GREAT stuff!! keep up the good work Robin, u r one of the best reporters.

[@dono1716]

I actually was at the crash at Reading that night in June.I was in the first turn with my two brothers, horrible crash now I an 70 and still remember that whole crash they were as high as the electric poles and stopped directly in front of us.We all knew what happened.

[@timshag]

Nice job Robin. Hope you are feeling better. - Tim J.

[@musicstewart9744]

If I could bend the time-space continuum I'd love to set up a heat race with Jud, Gary, Jan & Steve in it.

[@gregj831]

My dad idolized Jud Larson.

[@sharonlovely7496]

Jud is my granddaughters great grandfather

[@jimheckert5383]

Tremendous video. Thanks 🇺🇸

[@atatakwe]

I’m related to Red Riegal. He’s my grandma’s uncle. They’re all from Harrisburg my mom and my uncle. Explains why I love to drive fast

[@timtrace9175]

I was just a 9 year old kid, but I was at Reading the night he and Red Riegel were killed. That was the one and only time I saw my step father cry. He loved to watch Judd run. Just a bad memory.

[@alfredschonberg2231]

I believe Mario said Jud was one of the guys he looked up to.

[@carlosbragatto]

Hope you're doing well Uncle Robin !!!

[@donaldkinney8668]

Carlos Bragatto " O

[@raymond3803]

Piano Player? Oil Painting Artist?? Puss Magnet DELUX!!!.

[@TonyK3130]

Thanks Robin. What is the red car over you left shoulder in the video?

[@vince065us]

Larson must've been "The dude."

[@RandysRacingPlace633]

I have always wondered, if Larson was so unknown outside of Tulsa, how did Mr. Zink know to call him to drive in the Hoosier Hundred?.....

[@carlprallbibleinterpretsbi9568]

I have read that John Zink used to watch him run midgets on dirt in the Tulsa area. Zink was from Tulsa. If I remember the story, Watson knew nothing about him.

[@raymond3803]

1:03 Larson shows up, nobody has ever seen him, and his name is already marquee on the car #5? 1:24 Larson qualifies on the pole #5 1:31 Pole position #9? 1:46 Next race John Zink #2, Larson's name not there?

[@markt926]

I have Jud. Larson& Red Regal autograph on Reading PA programs,I more of their autographs plus many more

[@lauracunningham7199]

Ral

[@BrentTnerb2217]

Jud is Kyle's grandpa.