Phil Krueger, a veteran of two Indianapolis 500 starts, died February 9 in Indianapolis. He was 74.

Krueger, a native of Milwaukee, competed in the "500" in 1986 and 1988, finishing eighth in 1988 in the No. 97 CNC Systems Sales March-Cosworth fielded by R. Kent Baker Racing.

The performance in 1988 also earned the talented mechanic and fabricator the Clint Brawner Mechanical Excellence Award for his work guiding the 2-year-old car and the team's all-new crew to a top-10 finish. After his driving career, Krueger worked as an engine builder, mechanic, and crew chief.

Krueger was a regular competitor in May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway throughout the 1980s, turning laps every year from 1981-89 with small, low-budget teams with older equipment. He failed to qualify from 1983-85 and in 1989, and he didn't attempt to qualify in his first attempt at the race in 1981 or in 1982 and 1987 due to crashes in practice.

His Month of May in 1987 symbolized his hard luck and perseverance at the Speedway. Krueger started the month as the chief mechanic for the Raynor Motorsports entry for Dennis Firestone. Krueger climbed into the team's backup car as a driver after Firestone crashed and suffered a broken foot in the team's primary car.

Krueger clipped the wall between Turns 1 and 2 in practice, damaging the rear suspension. He led repairs to the car and attempted to qualify on Bump Day. His opening lap of 203.920 mph was on pace to make the field, but he crashed in Turn 1 on his second lap and didn't qualify. Still, Krueger earned the Jigger Award that year for his determination amid hard luck during May.

He started his career in endurance karts in his teens. In 1977, with a $200 budget in his pocket, he began competing in the USAC Mini-Indy Series.

Krueger then competed in Super Vee and Formula Ford while also learning how to build and fabricate Indy cars when not racing. His driving and mechanical skill helped him climb to CART in 1981, and he made 23 career INDYCAR SERIES starts between 1981-91. His best finish was fifth in the 1988 Michigan 500 among his seven career top-12 finishes.

After his driving career, Krueger worked as an engine builder, mechanic and crew chief.