Raced mainly in big cars. Killed in a car crash whilst returning from an Oakland race meeting. Palmer was of Australian ancestry as his father, also called Samuel (who was fifty-one years of age when Sam was born) was born there and emigrated to the country in 1870. Palmer's grandfather was English and he himself had emigrated to Australia originally. Sam's most prolific spell was in 1933, where he entered a number of dirt oval races, with an eighth place finish at Syracuse. He also raced on Elgin's road race course and although he failed to qualify himself for Indianapolis, he relieved two drivers for the race itself; Cliff Bergere, initially, for 38 laps and then Luther Johnson for 53 laps.

Biography last updated 3 Sep 2017