Joe Nikrent

Portrait shot, of sorts, of Joe Nikrent. Nikrent was born in Detroit but moved to Los Angeles and did much of his racing before 1920 on the West Coast. Perhaps his biggest victory came when he won the 1909 Phoenix to Los Angeles off-road race across the desert. This race is also known as the "Cactus Derby." Nikrent drove in the 1913 Indianapolis 500 with Fred Horey as his riding mechanic. Their Case racer placed eighteenth, lasting only 67 laps.
 
Notes from Bud Miller: Joe Nikrent also raced the Boards..at the first of 24 Board Speedways…Playa Del Ray…( Los Angeles )…Nov. 26, 1910…They had a 2 hour race…split into..2…1 hour races..Joe won..both of them driving a Knox race car…Nikrent also won…one of the 1912 races…at the circular..1 mile Board Speedway.
 
 
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