Fred Wacker

{{Infobox F1 driver|

name = Fred Wacker |

nationality = {{flagicon|USA}} American |

birth_date = {{birth date|1918|7|10}} |

birth_place = Chicago, Illinois |

death_date = {{death date and age|1998|6|16|1918|7|10}} |

death_place = Lake Bluff, Illinois |

Years = {{F1|1953}}–{{F1|1954}} |

Team(s) = Gordini |

Races = 5 (3 starts) |

Championships = 0 |

Wins = 0 |

Podiums = 0 |

Points = 0 |

Poles = 0 |

Fastest laps = 0 |

First race = 1953 Dutch Grand Prix |

First win = |

Last win = |

Last race = 1954 Italian Grand Prix |

}}

File:Cunningham C2-R no 5103, front right (Greenwich 2018).jpg]]

Frederick G. Wacker Jr. (July 10, 1918 Chicago – June 16, 1998) was an engineer and former president of two large Chicago companies. He was also a prominent Chicago socialite, a jazz musician, and a racing driver. He participated in five Formula One World Championship races, debuting on June 21, 1953. He scored no championship points. He also participated in several non-Championship Formula One races.

Wacker was the grandson of Charles H. Wacker, the first chairman of the Chicago Plan Commission and the man for whom Wacker Drive in Chicago is named. He attended The Hotchkiss School and Yale University. He worked with AC Spark Plug before enlisting in the United States Navy.{{cite news|last=Cohen|first=Jodi S.|title=Executive, Socialite Frederick Wacker|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/06/19/executive-socialite-frederick-wacker/|access-date=15 May 2014|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=19 June 1998}}

Wacker was involved in a fatal accident during the second lap of the 1952 Watkins Glen Grand Prix, which at the time was a street course. While preparing for a right hand turn, his Allard J2 came dangerously close to a Cunningham driven by John Fitch, and both drivers swerved to avoid a collision. The back end of the Allard came out slightly to the left and closer to a throng of spectators sitting on the curb along the side of the course. Ten people were injured and a 7-year-old boy was killed. The tragedy caused the end of street racing at the Glen and elsewhere in the United States.{{cite book |last=Defechereux |first=Philippe|title= Watkins Glen 1948-1952: The Definitive Illustrated History|year=1998 |publisher=Beeman Jorgensen |isbn=0-929758-17-X }}