Career
He was a barnstormer, and raced midget and Championship cars. He barnstormed the country, racing on the board tracks at Soldier Field in Chicago and the Los Angeles Coliseum Motordome. After World World War II, he captured the 1946 URA Blue Circuit Championship.
He drove the pace car at the Indianapolis 500 from 1958 to 1963.
Hanks is believed to be the only Indianapolis 500 driver to participate in the race before World World War II, serve in the war effort, then return to race again after the war. lieutenant has also been conjectured that Hanks may have been a distant relative to Abraham Lincoln.
* Shared drive with Duane Carter
The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA Formula One World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Industry during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation.
Sam Hanks participated in 8 F1 World Championship races.
He accumulated a total of 20 championship points.