Larry Cannon

Who was Larry Cannon?

Larry Cannon, was an American racecar driver.

Born in Danville, Illinois, Cannon also died there in 1995, after suffering an embolism. He drove in the USAC and CART Championship Car series, racing in the 1970-1971 and 1973-1981 seasons, with 44 combined career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1974, 1976, and 1980. He finished in the top ten 7 times, with his best finish in 8th position in 1976 at both College Station and Michigan International Speedway.

Cannon did not qualify for the 1977 Indianapolis 500, but did compete as a relief driver. In the final ten laps, Cannon took over the car of John Mahler, and drove it to the finish. He prided himself as being one of only a handful of drivers to be on the track at the moment A. J. Foyt won his record fourth Indy 500.

Cannon had a unique statistic for the three times he qualified for the Indianapolis 500. Johnny Rutherford won the race all three times.

He was commonly know by his nickname Larry "Boom Boom" Cannon, and was a barber by trade.