In 1962, Stan Bowman—a relatively unknown race car driver from Covington—shocked the racing world when he emerged out obscurity to win a historic victory at the Eldora Speedway over many of the world’s best drivers.

Bowman’s career exploded overnight, and he was recruited by some of the nation’s top teams to compete in the Indy 500. But it was never to be: Bowman’s life was cut short just a few weeks later when his car flipped in a routine racing heat.

In 1962, Stan Bowman—a relatively unknown race car driver from Covington—shocked the racing world when he emerged out obscurity to win a historic victory at the Eldora Speedway over many of the world’s best drivers.

Bowman’s career exploded overnight, and he was recruited by some of the nation’s top teams to compete in the Indy 500. But it was never to be: Bowman’s life was cut short just a few weeks later when his car flipped in a routine racing heat.

The Legend of Stan Bowman is scheduled to air on Sunday, Feb. 14, at 9/8 pm on KET and on Thursday, Feb. 17, at 9/8 pm on KET2.

KET is Kentucky’s largest classroom, where learning comes to life for more than one million people each week via television, online and mobile. Learn more about Kentucky’s preeminent public media organization at KET.org, on Twitter @KET and at facebook.com/KET.