Henry Edwin Banks was an American racing driver. He competed in various disciplines of open-wheel motorsport. Banks is best remembered for winning the 1950 AAA National Championship, and for his later career as a USAC race official.
Early life
Henry Banks was born in England, but brought up in Royal Oak, Michigan. He was the son of an early European race-driver. == Driving career ==
Driving career
Early career Banks began competing in 1932, when he was 19 years old, and became successful in midget cars. Banks was the first driver to pass the qualifying "rookie test" instituted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway beginning in 1936. and he scored no World Drivers' Championship points. == Post-driving life ==
Post-driving life
After Banks retired from competition, he occasionally tested other automobiles. Later, he became the USAC Director of Competitions. He died in Indianapolis in 1994. == Actor ==
Actor
and Troy Ruttman in 1952 Banks appeared in two racing-related films during his career. The first was To Please A Lady, starring Clark Gable. The second was Roar of the Crowd, starring Howard Duff. == Awards and honors ==
AAA Championship Car results • 1946 table only includes results of the six races run to "championship car" specifications. Points total includes the 71 races run to "big car" specifications. Indianapolis 500 results FIA World Drivers' Championship results (key) == References ==