Cliff Hucul, Indianapolis 500 Veteran, Dies at 79
Cliff Hucul, a Canadian race car driver who competed in three Indianapolis 500s in the late 1970s, died on February 17, 2026, at his farm in Prince George, British Columbia. He was 79 years old.
Early Racing Career and Indianapolis 500 Debut
Hucul began his racing career in Canada, competing in stock cars and modified sprint cars before moving to the Pacific Northwest to race modifieds and supermodifieds. He raced against future Indianapolis 500 winner and INDYCAR SERIES champion Tom Sneva, and his brother Jerry Sneva. OldRacingCars.com
He made his Indianapolis 500 debut in 1977, driving the No. 29 Team Canada McLaren/Offenhauser, a car he purchased after Johnny Rutherford won the 1976 race with it. Despite qualifying for the race, Hucul faced challenges, including two engine failures during the month of May and gearbox problems during the race, ultimately finishing 22nd. RACER
Continued IndyCar and NASCAR Career
Hucul continued to compete in the USAC and CART Championship Car series from 1977 to 1981, making a total of 24 starts. He achieved eight top-10 finishes, with his best result being a fourth-place finish at Texas World Speedway in 1979. Wikipedia
In 1979, Hucul also had a strong showing in the CART IndyCar Series, finishing 11th in the standings. He secured a fifth-place finish at Ontario Motor Speedway and a career-best fourth at Texas World Speedway. Wikipedia
Hucul later transitioned to NASCAR, making two starts in the Winston Cup Series in 1986, finishing 40th and 31st. Wikipedia
Later Life and Legacy
In 1996, Hucul was involved in a car accident on a highway in British Columbia, resulting in him becoming a paraplegic. Despite this, he remained active, managing his farm and mentoring young drivers in the area. OldRacingCars.com
Hucul was inducted into the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to auto racing. Prince George Citizen
He is survived by his son, Kelly, and daughter-in-law, Sylvie; daughter, Michele, and his grandchildren. RACER