Capable but relatively inexperienced driver killed in a crash at Winchester. Real name William Gretsinger, he changed his name to avoid confusion with his father William Gretsinger Senior, who raced stock cars and midgets in the 1930's. In 1946, father and son were working for Firestone in Indianapolis and decided to form their own racing team. The Mackey name came about due to deference to a sponsor and Bill became a notable midget and sprint driver, winning a sprint car race at Dayton in 1950. Mackey was one of three people that started on the eleventh row of the grid of the 1951 Indianapolis 500. All three died on the same day; Walt Brown in a separate event and Cecil Greeen at the same track and the same part of the track just hours before.

Biography last updated 28 Jan 2017