Johnny Aitken
| Johnny Aitken | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aitken, circa 1915 | |||||||
| Born | John Donald Aitken May 3, 1885 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | October 15, 1918 (aged 33) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. | ||||||
| Champ Car career | |||||||
| 23 races run over 5 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 2nd (1916) | ||||||
| First race | 1909 Wheeler-Schebler Trophy (Indianapolis) | ||||||
| Last race | 1916 American Grand Prize (Santa Monica) | ||||||
| First win | 1910 Atlanta Automobile Association Trophy (Atlanta) | ||||||
| Last win | 1916 American Grand Prize (Santa Monica) | ||||||
| |||||||
John Donald Aitken (May 3, 1885 – October 15, 1918) was an American racing driver from Indianapolis, who was active in the years prior to World War I. Aitken competed in the Indianapolis 500 three times. He started the race twice, in 1911 and 1916. He led the first lap of the first race (1911). Aitken captured the pole position in 1916, but ended up in 15th place (his best finish) that year. In the 1915 Indianapolis 500, Aitken drove relief for two drivers, Gil Andersen and Earl Cooper (who ultimately finished third and fourth).