Rick Treadway, a former Indianapolis 500 driver, has died at the age of 56 following a motorcycle accident on Saturday, according to Fox Sports. The motorsport community is mourning the loss of the veteran racer, who was the son of Fred Treadway, owner of Treadway Racing.
Treadway's career highlight came in 2002 when he started the Indianapolis 500, driving for his father's team. He competed in 11 IndyCar races over the 2001 and 2002 seasons, with his best result being a fifth-place finish at the 2001 season finale at Texas Motor Speedway.
His passing comes just days after the death of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, who died at 41 from pneumonia and sepsis. Tributes have poured in for Treadway, including from two-time Indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk, who wrote on X: "Sad news hearing Rick Treadway passed away last Saturday. 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! RIP Ricky."
Racing reporter Bob Pockrass also shared the news, stating: "Sad news: Rick Treadway, who started the 2002 Indianapolis 500, died May 30 in a motorcycle accident. He was 56."
Beyond IndyCar, Treadway competed in Formula 2000 junior racing and SCCA events. He made his IndyCar debut in 2001 at Kentucky Speedway and last raced in the series at the 2002 season finale at Texas Motor Speedway.
