Bill Holland is best remembered today for his incredible Indianapolis record during the post-WWII era. He finished second as a rookie in 1947, followed by another second in 1948. In 1949, he won and then came home second once more in 1950.
His performance at Indianapolis often overshadows his prowess in sprint cars, with accomplishments that earned him induction into the Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2005.
Born in Philadelphia in 1907, he was named Willard, after his father, not William as commonly reported. His father played major league baseball with several teams, including Baltimore in 1889.
Holland inherited his father’s athletic acumen, excelling on both roller and ice skates to the point he tried out for the 1932 Olympic Games.
In 1937, he turned his natural athleticism to auto racing, occasionally running sprint cars, known then as Big Cars, with the Pennsylvania-based GSARA. He moved to the ultra-competitive AAA Eastern Sprint Car circuit for 1938, capturing his first win at Mineola, New York. In the years before the outbreak of WWII curtailed all racing activity, he accomplished 19 more wins, capturing the East Coast title in 1941.
When racing resumed following the hostilities, Holland became a solid competitor in the AAA Championship cars. In the unusual 1946 season, when 77 races were run, most of them not the traditional 100 miles, he won 16 and placed fourth in the championship standings.
That performance earned him a shot at Indianapolis in 1947, and through an unusual set of circumstances, a ride with Lou Moore’s potent Blue Crown Sparkplug team.
Tony Bettenhausen was originally assigned to the team, but in a dispute with Speedway management over prize money, he helped form the American Society for Professional Auto Racing (ASPAR.) As the month of May activities unfolded, Bettenhausen decided to hold out for better purse guarantees with his fellow ASPAR members and departed Moore’s team.
Holland got the call to drive one of the beautiful, sleek Deidt-Offys and became the fastest qualifier. But as a second-day qualifier, he started 8th. Running strong at the drop of the green, he took the race lead on lap 24.
Steadily pulling away from the field, Holland went on to lead 143 laps. However, late in the race, Moore made a controversial call that cost Holland the victory.
With his cars running well ahead of third place in first and second, Mauri Rose was in the other Blue Crown, Moore gave both the “EZY” sign. Holland obeyed. Rose did not. With eight laps remaining, Rose passed Holland on the backstretch. Holland, believing Rose was unlapping himself, waved jauntily at his teammate. Rose took the checkered flag for the win. It wasn’t until Holland rolled into the pits and heard the announcer call, “Bill Holland in second place,” that he realized he hadn’t won.
Outraged at the outcome, many, including his wife, believed he wouldn’t return to Moore’s operation for 1948. However, understanding his best shot at a 500-victory lay with Moore, he throttled his anger and returned. Teammate Rose won once more without the previous year’s drama, becoming a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner. Holland was again second.
For the third consecutive year, the Blue Crown team remained intact with Holland and Rose in the still-potent front-wheel drive cars. Holland qualified fourth, took the race lead on lap 55, holding the front spot for the remainder of the 500 miles. Towards race end, the drama of 1947 again unfolded.
With his cars running one-two, Moore hung out the EZY sign. Rose again ignored it and charged after Holland. With eight laps remaining, Rose’s magneto failed, putting him out. Moore fired him afterward for disobeying orders.
By 1950, the Blue Crowns were growing long in the tooth. Holland qualified 10th, his worst starting spot in his first four 500 starts. However, by the end of the rain-shortened event, Holland was in second place. Had the race run to its 500-mile completion, Holland may have scored yet another victory.
Despite his Indianapolis success, it wasn’t until 1953 that Holland once more made the 500 field. AAA suspended him for a year for competing in a non-sanctioned race. It mattered little that it was a charitable event. It was sanctioned by AAA’s archenemy, NASCAR. When he complained to the press, AAA added a year.
Showing he hadn’t lost his touch, he qualified second quick but fell out early with mechanical issues. It was his last 500 appearance.
Bill Holland remained a popular and respected figure in auto racing until his passing on May 20, 1984.
