A hugely popular driver, 'Wild' Bill, the 1934 champion and Indianapolis 500 winner, was killed in a road accident in his home-town when he lost control of his car in wet conditions, dying two days later from his injuries. Bill's father, also called William, worked for the Marmon Motor Company and this got the younger Cummings interested in the sport. He started racing on local dirt tracks in the 1920's before graduating to Indycar racing. Cummings, like his father, was a qualified mechanic who also held a pilot's licence. Latterly, from the early 1930's onwards, Cummings also worked as a car salesman to support his racing career. Cummings was originally a grocery delivery boy. After his win and until his death, Bill owned a bar called The Lucky Seven, which was named after the number he won with at Indianapolis in 1934.

Biography last updated 28 Dec 2015