Image courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Bill Vukovich II, the 1968 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year and a member of one of the race's most prominent families, has passed away. He was 79.

Vukovich was the son of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bill Vukovich and the father of fellow Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Billy Vukovich III, as the Vukovichs were one of only five families to have three generations of drivers compete in "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," joining the Unsers, Andrettis, Foyts and Brabhams.

California native Vukovich made 12 starts in the "500" between 1968-80 with six top-10 finishes. His best result was second in the rain-shortened race in 1973, driving the No. 2 Sugaripe Prune Eagle/Offy fielded by Jerry O'Connell.

In 1968, Vukovich qualified 23rd and steadily climbed to finish seventh as a rookie driving the No. 98 Wagner-Lockheed Shrike/Offy fielded by fellow Californian J.C. Agajanian. That performance earned Vukovich the Rookie of the Year award.

Vukovich also was a star on short tracks across America. He earned 23 USAC National Midget victories racing for such premier team owners as J.C. Agajanian.

In 1998, Vukovich was enshrined in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame, joining his father. All three Vukovichs are also enshrined in their hometown in the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame.

For more information, visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announcement.