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Tragedy Strikes Again: IndyCar Loses Another Legend

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Former IndyCar driver Rick Treadway died on Saturday in a motorcycle crash at the age of 56.

Details on the crash that caused the death of Treadway, the son of 1997 Indianapolis 500-winning team owner Fred Treadway, were not released. 

His death comes as the motorsports world continues to grapple with that of two-time NASCAR Cup Series champ Kyle Busch, who shockingly died on May 21 at the age of 41 following a battle with bacterial pneumonia complicated by sepsis.

Rick Treadway of the USA drives a Chevrolet G Force for Treadway and Associates Racing during the Copper World Indy 200 at the Phoenix International Raceway
Rick Treadway of the USA drives a Chevrolet G Force for Treadway and Associates Racing during the Copper World Indy 200 at the Phoenix International Raceway in 2002. Getty Images

Treadway raced in the 2002 Indy 500 for his father’s team and finished 29th after starting in 17th. He was eliminated from the race in Turn 3 of the 90th lap when he was involved in an accident on the track. 

In all, Treadway competed in 11 IndyCar Series races between 2001 and 2002 for Treadway-Hubbard Racing and Treadway Racing after making his debut in 2001 at Kentucky Speedway. 

Kyle Busch, wearing a lime green and black racing suit and a black hat, stands next to a trophy, raising his right index finger.
NASCAR two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch died last month at the age of 41. Getty Images

He competed in his final IndyCar race in 2002 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Treadway had been a part of Formula 2000 junior formula racing prior to moving to the IndyCar series. 

Several IndyCar drivers paid tribute to Treadway in posts on X. 

“Sad news hearing Rick Treadway passed away last Saturday,” Arie Luyendyk wrote on X. “Our condolences go out to my former @IndyCar team owner Fred Treadway, Janice and Brian Treadway. Rick was a fun, crazy, humble, wild and brave personality.”

“Really sad to see this news today,” Conor Daly wrote. “If you listen to @SpeedStreetPod you know how much this name means to a certain segment of our show. RIP Ricky. We’ll keep doing our #indy500 driver research in your honor!”