David Lee Laycock

David Lee Laycock, a well-known chief mechanic and Indy car builder whose engineering skill defined an era of open-wheel racing, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026. He was born on October 11, 1938, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and was 87 years old. He resided in Fillmore, IN, after living most of his life in Avon, IN.

Dave was a central figure in the golden age of the United States Auto Club (USAC) Championship Trail and a member of one of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s most enduring families. He was the third generation of his family to serve at the Brickyard. His grandfather C.P. Laycock, a mechanic for the Stutz team in the Speedway’s formative years, and his father, Bob Laycock, legendary IMS historian, USAC official and head of the IMS Press Room for many years, preceded him. A member of the Laycock family has attended every Indianapolis 500 race, which Dave attended from 1947 until 2022 as a spectator or a competitor. His daughter Julie continues the tradition.

Dave graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 1957 as the star student of the Auto Shop program. Fresh out of high school, he went to work for the famed engine builder “Horsepower” Herb Porter as a “stooge” on the Roger Wolcott team. With his aptitude for mechanics, Dave was a chief mechanic by 1960 on the Bill Forbes team, the youngest chief mechanic on the Indy circuit to this day.

His legacy is mostly tied with the career of famed driver Lloyd Ruby, often called the best driver to never win the Indy 500. In 1966 Dave grew from Chief Mechanic to builder and innovator of the “Laycock Mongoose,” built to challenge the Eagles, Hawks and Coyotes of the day. In the first outing of the Mongoose at Phoenix International Speedway in 1967, before it was even painted, Lloyd Ruby drove to Victory Lane. The Mongoose chassis was competitive for years in a time of rapid innovation. The beautiful American flag design on the 1970-1971 Daniels Cable Vision cars is still remembered to this day.

After Dave retired from racing in 1971, he built a successful Avon business, Laycock Set-Up Service, where he assembled and delivered motorcycles for most of the central Indiana motorcycle dealerships. In over 20 years he employed many Avon teenagers. He moved to his current home in Fillmore in 2006 and enjoyed maintaining his property, building projects and driving anything that would go fast.

Dave is survived by his daughter, Julie (Steve) Pichon and his first wife, Ann Benthin. He leaves a beloved parter, Janet Ray. He loved his grandchildren, Steven (Sarah) Pichon, James (Gini) Pichon, John (Jurga) Pichon and Paul (Nichole) Pichon. His extended family consists of stepchildren William Middleton, Donna Karres and Michele (Mike) Foxworthy. Step-grandchildren are Julie Robinson, Ashley Kammerling, Alyssa Towe, Tyler Kammerling, Sydney Foxworthy and Maddie Foxworthy. He was blessed with great-grandchildren Elze, Emilija, Phyllis, William David, Evelyn, Yuna, Yoris and step great-grandchildren Jacob, Andrew, Elijah, Draven and Daree.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Robert Laycock and Virginia Katherine Owen Laycock, his brothers Robert Mason Laycock, John Thomas Laycock and Dan Owen Laycock, his second wife Arlene Bates Laycock and her son Scott Middleton.

David Lee Laycock died peacefully at home surrounded by his family and will be remembered with a Celebration of Life open house on February 14, 2026, from 11 am to 3 pm at his home in Fillmore. Please bring pictures and memories to share. For location, contact Julie at pichon.julie@gmail.com.